SRI RUDRAM

A Commentary on SrI Rudram by Dr. V. Sadagopan

Foreword
Some twenty years back (January 1991) , I gave a series of Lectures on Sri Rudram at the
Hindu Temple at Queens , NY . A participant in those sessions assembled all those lecture
materials and persuaded me to release them as a full monograph on the Veda Mantrams of Sri
Rudram.
I prepared a hand written manuscript and almost forgot about it thereafter . Few months back
, another friend asked a few questions about the Veda BhAgam aspects of Sri Rudram and I
remembered the copious lecture notes from two decades ago . I thought those notes on SrI
Rudram might be useful to the students of Veda mantrams and the Astikaa community . I am
releasing those notes now as a Monograph . I have been once again persuaded to release this
study on Sri Rudram as a self-standing book for the benefit of VaidhikAs .Here it is Twenty
years later (December 2011) !
During February 2000 , I had the great good fortune of performing Prapatti/SaraNAgathi at
the sacred feet of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan as guided by HH Srimath Azhagiya Singar ,
the reigning PeetAdhipathi of Sri Ahobila MaTham . I consider this BhAgyam of performing
Prapatti at the sacred feet of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan as the very best thing that could
happen to me in this world . Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan is the ArAdhya devatai of Sri Rudran ,
who performed SaraNAgati through His own Mantra Raaja Padha stOtram and Sri Rudram
is the Yajur Veda BhAgam that praises the Vaibhavam of that Sarvajn~an , SrI Rudran .
Sri Rudram is the holiest of all prayers dedicated to Lord Siva. It is found in the middle of Yajur
Vedam and provides the home for the Sacred Manthram known as Panchakshari used by the
worshippers of Lord Siva (SrI Rudran) .
Sri Rudram has been described by some of the Vedic scholars as Yajusham Saaram, or the
essence of the entire Yajur Vedam. It has 169 Manthrams, organized in eleven Anuvakaas or
chapters. Sri Rudram is also known RudrOpanishad and Sata Rudreeyam. The latter name is
associated with the fact that the Upasana Moorthy of Sri Rudram is praised in all the 101
branches (Sakas) of Yajur Vedam as inferred from the comment of Sri Bhatta Bhaskara, a
celebrated commentator (Bhashyakarar) of Sri Rudram.
Besides Sri Bhatta Bhaskara, Sri Sayana, Sri Abhinava Sankara and, most recently, Brahma Sri
Mutthu Krishna Sastrigal have written commentaries on Sri Rudram. Brahma Sri Sastrigal's
commentary is in Tamil and was published approximately Fifty-five years ago as a Hitha
Bhashini release from Tanjavoor. Sri Sayana's commentary, on the other hand, dates back to the
era of the Vijaya Nagara empire. The Abhinava Sankara's Bhasyam includes the listing of
appropriate Rishis (Sages), Chandas (Meters) and Devathaas (Godheads) for each of the 169
Manthras as required for the individual Veda Mantrams . The present commentary in English is
based on the above original sources in general and on Brahma Sri Mutthu KrishNa Sastrigal's
commentaries in particular.
The purpose of adding yet another commentary on Sri Rudram is to address the needs of
overseas Residents of Indian origin, who worship Lord Siva at the many Hindu Temples and in
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their own homes across the landscape of the many continents. It is sincerely hoped that this
publication would serve the goals of gaining a fuller appreciation by them of the majesty and
beauty of Sri Rudram as a Veda BhAgam .
As a Sri VaishNavan and a Prapannan totally committed to Kaayika , Vaachika and Maanasa
Kaimkaryams to Sriman NaarAyaNan , I have been moved by the Prapatti made by Sri Rudran
to His Supreme Master , Sriman NarAyaNan in the Mantra Raaja Padha StOtram and in
AhirBudhnya Samhita .Lord Sri Rudra-Sivan is recognized and revered as a Parama Bhaagavta ,
Prapannan and a Sarvajn~an by ParamaikAnti Sri VaishNavaas including Swamy Desikan . Sri
Rudran emphasises in His SaraNAgathi that He is a dhAsabhUtan (liege) of Sri Lakshmi
Narasimhan .
I am deeply grateful to Kumari Aditi Banerjee , who edited the manuscript with great care and
enriched the monograph with beautiful images of SrI Rudra-Sivan . This monograph is released
for the benefit of all VedAbhimAnis. Vedam is profound and the meanings of Veda mantrams
can be interpreted at many levels . For instance , Sivan can mean one who is auspicious in a
general sense or it could refer to the Lord of Parvati having His home in the snowy peak of the
HimAlayAs in a particular sense .
Let us now enjoy the individual Veda Mantrams of Sri Rudram of the Yajur Vedam .
Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan
Nandana Samvatsaram , Thai Month , Sukla Paksha Chaturti , Sataya Nakshatram
January , 15, 2013

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Methods for the Recitation of Sri Rudram

There are number of traditional methods for the recitation of Sri Rudram and for performing Sri
Rudra Homam. Vedic scholars follow mainly four methods, which are known as Sri Rudram,
Sri Rudraikadasini, Maha Rudram and Athirudram.
Sri Rudram Method:
This is also known as the Ekaadasarudram. Here, one recites the 11 Anuvaakams of Sri Rudram
and follows that with the recitation of the first Anuvaakam of Chamakam. The entire Sri
Rudram is recited again followed by the Parayanam of the second Anuvaakam of Chamakam.
This method consists thus of the recitation of Sri Rudram 11 times and the recitation of each of
the 11 Anuvaakams of SrI Rudram and Chamakam once.
Sri Rudraikadasini Method:
This method requires the recitation of Sri Rudram 121 times and the Paarayanam (recitation) of
Chamakam 11 times. This Sri Rudraikadasini is equivalent to the performance of 11 Ekaadasa
Rudrams. Sri Rudraikaadasini is also known as Laghu Rudram. One-tenth of Laghu Rudram
should also be performed as Homam.
Maha Rudram Method:
This consists of performing 11 Laghu Rudrams and is therefore equivalent to 1331 recitations of
Sri Rudram and 121 recitations of Chamakam. One-tenth of Maha Rudram should also be
performed as Sri Rudra Homam.
Athi Rudram Method:
The performance of Athi Rudram requires the recitation of Sri Rudram 14,641 times (11 x 11 x
11 x 11) and Chamakam 1,331 times. This enormous task is achieved in shorter time periods by
the simultaneous recitation of Sri Rudram for 121 times by 121 Pundits and the Parayanam of
Chamakam for 11 times by the same assembly of scholars. There are some differences in the
nomenclature of Rudram, Rudraikadasini, Laghu Rudram, Maha Rudram and Athi Rudram
based on the total number of recitations of Sri Rudram and Chamakam. In one method, Rudram
consists of one recitation of Sri Rudram followed by Chamakam once. The recitation of Sri
Rudram for 11 times and Chamakam once constitutes the performance of Rudraikadasini; Laghu
Rudram consists of an 11-time multiplier of Rudraikadasini and so on.
Sri Rudram praises Lord Siva's multifaceted attributes. His Omniscience, His Omnipotence, His
Omnipresence, His benevolence and His fearsome features are the subject of Sri Rudram. The
unique place of Sri Rudram in the Vedic tradition is indicated by the generally held belief that it
is superior to the sections that constitute the entire Vedas, viz., Karma, Upasana and Jn~Ana
Kaandams. The long-lasting benefits of the recitation of Sri Rudram has been elaborated by
sacred religious texts such as Maharnavam, Sootha Samhitha, Puranas such as Koorma and
Linga, Smrithis such as Adhri, Yagnyavalkya and Satatapa, Ithihasam such as Maha Bharatham
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et al. Sri Rudra Parayanam is always accompanied by the recitation of Chamakam. The prayers
enshrined in Chamakam request Lord Siva for various blessings after pleasing Him with a
recitation of Sri Rudram. Daily paaraayanam of Sri Rudram-Chamakam has been recommended
by the sages to get the blessings of Lord Siva. It is particularly recommended for recitation on
Pradhosam days and Maha Sivarathri night.
The following passage from Soothasamhita describes the benefits that accrue from the recitation
of Sri Rudram:
Rudra Japi VimuchyatE Maha Paataka pancharaath
samyak Jn~Anam cha LabhatE tEna Muchyeta Bandanath
anena Sadhrusam Japyam naasti Sathyam Sruthou Smruthou
It states that the reciter of Sri Rudram gets release from the cage of great sins. He also realizes
Brahma Jn~Anam and he gets freed ultimately from the bonds of Samsara. The passage asserts
that there is no recitation in the Vedas or Smrithis that equals Sri Rudram in terms of the
auspicious blessings that a reciter can hope to get.
May the full blessings of Lord Siva shower on those who perform Sri Rudra-Chamaka Veda
Paarayanam and enhance their Jn~Anam to seek Moksha Sukham from Sriman NaarAyaNan ,
the one and only Moksha Daayakan !

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Sri Rudram
Sri Rudram has 11 chapters (Anuvakams) in all. In the first Anuvakam, the angry Rudra is
requested by the Vedam to shed His anger and asks for His blessing. From the second to the
ninth Anuvakams, Sri Rudra is praised and salutations are rendered to Him. In the tenth and the
eleventh Anuvakams, an appeal is made to both Sri Rudra and his retinue (Rudra Ganams) for
their blessings and protection.

The First Anuvakam

The First Manthram

Sri Rudra has both frightening and tranquil features. The tranquil feature is referred to as
aghoram, and the frightening feature, known as ghoram with its fierce and intimidating
weapons. He only gets angry at us when we trespass the prescribed codes of behavior outlined in
the Vedas and Saasthraas. When we do things that are not enjoined by the Sruthis or Smrithis,
He gets angry at us and punishes us to get us back to the righteous ways. His fierce aspect is
meditated on in connection with the first manthram of Sri Rudram, which is as follows:
NamastE Rudra Manyava UtOta ishavE namah
NamastE astu dhanvanE Baahubhyamuta tE Namah (1)
(meaning)
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hE Rudra

Oh! Rudra!

tE ManyavE namah

My obeisance to Your anger.

tE ishavE namah

My obeisance to Your arrow.

TE dhanvanE namah astu

Let my praNAmams be for Your bow.

atha tE Baahubhyaam namah

Further, let me pay my respects to both of Your hands

which carry the mighty bow and arrows.

This mantram like all other Sri Rudra Mantrams has its own Rishi, meter (chandas) and
pertinent Godhead (devataa). The Rishi, Chandas and devataa for the first mantram are AtrEya,
anushtup and Sri Rudran, respectively.
The Dhyaana Slokam for the first manthram is :
AakarNa KrshtE Dhanushi Jwalantheem dEveemishum bhaswathi santadhaanam
dhyaayEn Mahesaam mahaneeya Vesham devyaayutham Yodhatanum Yuvaanam
The slokam visualizes an angry Rudra with the cord of His bow drawn up to His ears; the bow is
adorned by a resplendent arrow; Sri Rudran is seen as the most beautiful male soldier in the
prime of His life. His Devi is seen next to Him in that fighting appearance. The slokam asks us
to meditate upon that fierce aspect of Maheswaran. The books such as Rudra KalpArNavam
describe the ways to do japam on each of the mantrams of Sri Rudram with dhyaanam,
anganyaasam and karanyaasam. The japam based on these mantras is said to confer special
benefits to the practitioner. For instance, when the first mantram is recited 11,000 times in the
prescribed manner. the devotee has the ability to rise in status in society, lose all his sins and get
Sri Rudran's full blessings.
The Second Manthram
The second Rudra Mantram requests the angry Rudra seated on a chariot with His Devi to shed
His anger and bless the devotee. The mantram is as follows:
Yaa ta Ishu: Sivatamaa Sivam Babhoova tE dhanu:
Sivaa Saravyaa Yaa tava tayaa nO Rudra mruDaya (2)
(meaning):
hE Rudra -Oh, Rudra!
tE Yaa Ishuh Sivathamaa Babhoova, tayaa Nah Mrdaya-Let us be free of worries, thanks to that
arrow, which is the most auspicious one in Your hand.

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tE Yaa Dhanuh Sivam Babhoova tayaa Nah Mrdaya- Let us be comforted by the very same bow
in Your hands that looks auspicious.
tava Yaa Saravyaa Sivaa Nayaa Nah Mrdaya- By the auspicious arrow cage that You wear, let
us get the benefits of prosperity and peace of mind.
Here, the devotee looks at the angry Rudran, who is ready to shoot the arrow from His bow. He
therefore prays to Lord Paramasivan to convert these terrifying weapons into tranquil jewelry
type of adornments and to remove the fear from his mind. He prays to Lord Rudra to transform
His intimidating weapons into symbols of peace and decoration and thereby allay the anxieties of
the devotee. The Devataa for this mantram is Sambhu; the Rishi and chandas are the same as for
the first mantram.
The Dhyaana Slokam that goes with the second manthram of Sri Rudram is as follows:
dhyaayeth dEvam Sasmitham Syandhanastham
dEvyaa Saardham tEjasaa dheepyamaanam
Ishvishvaalankrthaabhyaam bhujaabhyaam
Sooraakaaram StUyamaanam Suraughai
(meaning):Let us meditate on Sri Rudran with His beautiful smile, surrounded by the retinue of
Devas offering their praises, resting on His chariot with His wife while holding the arrow and
bow in His hands. Let us meditate on this glowing, beautiful form of Sri Rudran.
The second mantram is known as Maha Mantram, since the uninterrupted recitation of this is
said to remove poverty in the home and the nation. It is recommended that this japam should be
done for 12 days continuously, when one is awake. Prosperity in this world is assured by the
proper recitation of this mantram.
The Third Mantram
In this mantram, the devotee asks for the blessings of release from the cycles of birth and death.
The mantra is as follows:
Yaa tE Rudra Sivaa tanUraghoraapaapakaaSinee
tayaa Nastanuvaa Santamayaa GiriSantaabhichaakaSeehi (3)
The Rishi, chandas and Devathaa for this mantram are Kasyapar, Swaratanushtub and Sambhu.
In this mantram, the form of Sri Rudran without any weapons is being invoked. In the previous
mantram, the Ghoraa aspect was invoked and in this mantra, the Aghoraa aspect is revered.
The prayer enshrined in this mantram is: Rudra Nah AbhichaakaSeehi (Oh! Rudra, please
make us understand the Brahma Jn~Anam, the true knowledge that is the lasting one through
Your blessings represented by Your holy body. This prayer for Brahma Jn~Anam is at the heart
of the message contained in the mantram .)

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Here, the auspicious body of the Lord is described as Sivaa Aghoraa and ApaapakaaSini. Sri
Rudras body and limbs without weapons is very tranquilizing (Aghoraa) and nonintimidating.
It is also capable of giving auspiciousness (Sivaa) on this earth; in addition, that auspicious body,
when seen by the devotees, assures them of places in Siva Lokam. The conferral of that blessing
known as mukthi in Siva lOkam arises from that bliss-giving sight of the Lord's body. The
auspicious boon-giving Sri Rudran is addressed as GiriSantaa by the Vedam.
The word GiriSantaa has been interpreted in a number of ways. One interpretation is that the
resident of Giri named Kailasa conferring His blessings on all living things and giving them
happiness and comfort. KailaasE Girau NithyaavirbhUthO yah PraaNibhyah Sam tanOti sa
GiriSantah, is the interpretation of one of the Bhashyakaaras. The second interpretation is,
Girau (Vede) tishtannartharupeNa Sam tanoti. Here, Rudran is recognized as the inner
meaning of the Vedas and thereby conferring His blessings on His devotees. Giri is another
name for the Vedas. The third interpretation of the naamam, GiriSantaa, for Sri Rudran is as the
one who is the conferrer of helpings, when meditated as the heart of Pranavam. PranavE
tishtan DhyeyarupeNa
niratiSaya BrahmAnandha LakshaNam Sam tanoti, is the
corresponding interpretation by one of the Bhashyakaarars. Sri Rudran's body is hailed as
Apaapakasini, which means that His body, when seen, removes all the sins (Paapam) and
thereby gives Atma Jn~Anam.
The third mantram described above is also recited for the well being of the cows. The Dhyaana
Slokam for this mantram is a beautiful one, evoking the peaceful aspects of Lord Rudrans
appearance and presence. The sloka is as follows:
smEraananam chandra kalaavatamsam
Ganghadharam Saila Sutaa sahaayam!
TrilOchanam basma bhujanga bhooshaNam
dhyaayEt Pasoonam Pathimeesitaaram!!
Here, the smiling face of Lord Rudra, with the digit of the moon and Ganga Devi on His tresses,
is invoked. His presence, adorned by Gauri Devi, sitting next to Him and His viboothi-clad body
and the decoration of snakes on His neck and arms are praised. He is recognized as the one who
is the Lord of all pasus (cows or Jeevans) in Saiva SiddhAntam .
The Fourth Manthram
The fourth manthram of Sri Rudram again appeals to Sri Rudran not to shoot the arrow at the
poor sinners, but to make the arrow nondestructive and thereby protect the world. The mantram
is as follows:
Yaamishum GiriSanta haste BhibharsharyastavE
Sivaam Giritra taam Kuru Maa Himsee: Purusham Jagat (4)
(meaning):
hE Girisantha - Oh! the inner meaning of the Vedas,
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hE Girithra- Oh! Lord residing in Kailasam,

Purusham Jagat maa himseeh- Please do not hurt me and my friends! Please do not destroy our
earthly wealth, either!
Yaam ishum astavE hastE Bhibharshithaam Ishum Sivaam Kuru- Please make auspicious that
arrow which you wear in Your hand to shoot at the sinners.
Protection from disasters (Anishta Pariharam) arising from the anger of Lord Rudran is prayed
for through this mantram.
The Fifth Manthram
The fifth mantram of the Anuvakam prays for freedom from disasters and realization of desired
comforts on this earth. The mantram is as follows:
SivEna Vachasaa tvaa Girisaaccha Vadaamasi
Yathaa na: sarvamijjagadayakshmagum Sumanaa asat (5)
This prayer is also addressed to Sri Rudran as Girisa, the resident of the holy mountain known as
Kailasam. It says Vayam Vadaamasi, i.e., we beg You for this blessing. The blessing that is
asked is that of the secret knowledge about the right way to praise Him so that the world will be
populated by healthy, happy communities of people and herds of cows. Tvaa Acchaa SivEna
Vachasaa Yataa Asatha tataa Kuru is the prayer. We do not know the ways to praise with
auspicious words to reach You. Please teach us, is the request. The effect of that prayer is
Sarvam Jagat ith ayashmam Sumanaah Asath, Iti Vadaamasi,: Oh! Kailasa Natha! Please
teach us the ways of praising You that would make this world full of a healthy, happy
community of all living beings."
The fourth and fifth mantrams together constitute one mantram. The Rishi for it is Gauthama;
the chandas is Gayathri; and the Devathaa is Rudran. The Dhyaana Slokam for the fourth and
fifth manthram is as follows:
SangraamikEena vapushaa praviraajamaanam
Devam purathraya vinaasana mandhahaasam
Daityaan didhakshumachalesvara chaapa paaNim
dhyaayEth purarimatha bhoomi rathadhirooDam
This slokam describes the appearance of Lord Paramasivan, when He was about to perform
Tripura Samharam. At that time, Bhoomi became His chariot, Meru Mountain became His bow,
VishNu became the tip of His arrow and SrI Rudran was dressed in battle attire and was desirous
of destroying the Asuras and their three cities. He was smiling in anticipation of His heroic
deed. The slokam recommends that we meditate on this fierce aspect of Sri Rudran. The
recitation of the fourth and fifth mantrams together for 21 days is said to ward off untimely
death.
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The Sixth Mantram

The sixth mantram is a profound one, which is said to remove ills from evil forces, poison and
fever. Hence it has been called as a shield (Kavacham) by Bodhayana Maharishi. The Rishi
for the mantram is KaNvar; the chandas is Anushtup; and the Devataa is Sambhu. The Dhyaana
Slokam is as follows:
Chandraardha maulim kaalaarim vyaala yagnyOpaveetinam
Jwalat- paavaka sankaasam dhyaayEt devam trilochanam
Here, reference is made to the three-eyed Lord, who wears the half-moon on His hair. He is
wearing a great serpent as His sacred thread and is shining as a burning piece of ember. The
sloka words visualize Rudran with these characteristics.
The mantram corresponding to this dhyana slokam is as follows:
adhyavOchadadhivaktaa prathamO daivyO bhishak
Aheegumsccha sarvaan jambhayan sarvaamsccha yaatudhaanyah (6)
Let the Supreme Lord (Prathamah) speak for me with compassion (adhyavochat) is the prayer.
The rest of the mantram speaks about the qualities of that Supreme Lord. He is described as
adhivakthaa, Daivyah, Bhishak. adhivakthaa is one who bends over backward to speak (or
intervene) on behalf of His devotees. Daivyah means one who is the inner force of all the
Devas; Bhishak means one who is the doctor, curing all diseases of the body and mind. He is
also requested to destroy all pain-causing animals such as snakes, scorpions, etc., and those that
cause harm such as thieves. He is further implored to remove hidden evil forces such as
raakshasaas and ghosts and other inauspicious entities. The portion of the mantram referring to
such a prayer is Sarvaan aheegumsccha Sarvaasccha Yaathudhaanyah Jambhayan
Pratamah adhyavOchat . It has been stated that the recitation of this manthram 50,000 times
will confer the powers requested in this mantram.
The Seventh Mantram
The seventh Rudra mantra praises Sri Paramasivan in one of His eight forms, which is that of the
Sun. Lord Paramasivan is known to have 8 forms constituted by earth (Prithvi), Water, Fire,
Wind, Ether, Moon, Sun and Master (yajamaanan). The eight forms lead to His name as Ashta
Moorthi, who delights in being worshiped on the ashtami day of the month. The seventh of the
eight forms is that of Sun, whose rays envelop all the corners of this universe. By focusing on
the Soorya Moorthi, Siva's pervasive presence in all nooks and corners of this world is
emphasized. In the form of the Sun, Lord Paramasivan is the witness to the activities of
everything on this earth and nothing escapes His notice. Such Solar aspect of Lord Maheswaran
is described by the following seventh mantram:
Asau yastaamrO Aruna uta Babhrussumangalah
Yeh che maagum RudhrA abhitO dikshusrithaah sahasraSO vaishaagum heDa eemahE (7)
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(meaning)
The auspicious Rudra described in previous mantraas appearing as Adithyaa is coppery red in
hue at dawn; a little later, as the dawn progresses, He takes a violetish red hue; a few minutes
later, He assumes a golden-yellowish orange color resembling that of gold-copper alloy. In all
these forms, He appears before us every morning as the most auspicious presence. He reaches
out to every corner of the earth and direction as thousands of Adityaas through the spreading of
His rays.
The mantram salutes all those thousands of Rudras and asks Them to hold back Their anger and
protect the people who recite the Sri Rudram.
The words of the seventh mantram containing these thoughts is as follows in Anvaya Kramam:
Yimaam Amithah Dikshusrithaah Sahasrasah
Ye cha Rudraah Yeshaam Hedah Ava eemahe
In the seventh mantram, a pacific overture is made to Sri Rudra to calm Him down from His
angry state caused by His disapproval of the conduct of human beings, which are prohibited by
the VedAs and the sAstrAs.
The Eighth Mantram
In the eighth mantram, He is approached for the conferral of boons. He is praised as the one who
is inside the disc of the Sun and as the lustre that is seen by the learned as well as the simple
people every day. This mantram relating also to the Aditya Roopam of Sri Rudran is as follows:
Asau yOavasarpati neelagreevo vilohitah
utainam Gopaa AdruSannadrusaannudahaaryah
Utainam viswaa bhoothani sa drashto mrDayaathi nah (8)
In the first line of this mantram, Sri Rudra's bodily features and lustre are referred to. The
bluish-black of His neck (neelagreevah) arising from the drinking of the poison during the
churning of the milky ocean is first mentioned. Next, His coppery red color as the rising Sun in
the morning is alluded to by the term, vilOhitah. He is recognized as traveling in the sky with
the characteristic bluish-black hued neck and coppery red-colored body as Adityaa.
While He is traveling across the sky, He is seen by the illiterate cowherds (gopaah) and innocent
water-bearing women. Gopaah Utainam (Aditya rupam) Adrusaan; Udahaarya: (Api) Ainam
Adrusaan; Ainam (Aditya svarupam Rudram) Viswaabhoothaani Api Adrusaan, says the
mantram. Even the cows and the sheep in the pasture see Him course through the sky in the
form of Adityaa, according to the mantram. May this auspicious form of Sri Rudra seen by one
and all confer on us His blessings and keep us happy, is the prayer (sa drushtah nah mrdayaati)
housed in this eighth mantram. AaBaala Gopalam is a term that is normally used in literature to
describe the simple and illiterate people and those who do not pretend to be scholars. The
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universal recognition of the aspect of Sri Rudran as the Sun God or the force behind it is alluded
to here.
The seventh and eighth manthras are considered as one mantra from the point of the Dhyaana
Slokam quoted below:
Mandalaantara gatam hiraNmayam Bhraajamaana
Vapusham Suchismitam
ChandadheedhitimakanDita-dhyutim
ChintayEn muni-sahasra sevitham
(meaning): I meditate upon that Rudran, who is inside the disc of the Sun, who has a shining
body, who has a smile-filled face, who is surrounded by thousands of praising sages, who has
undiminished lustre and has strong as well as nourishing rays.
The seventh and eighth manthras have in common the Rishi (Maruthvan) and Devathaa (Sri
Paramasivan in the form of Adithyan). The only difference is in the Chandas of the two
manthras. The seventh manthram has Aasthara Pankthi as Chandas, and the eighth manthram
has Jagadhi Chandas as its meter. It has been stated that the recitation of these two mantrams for
sixteen days would bring rain in times of drought.
The Ninth Mantram
The ninth manthram also praises the Neelakanta aspect of Sri Paramasivan. This mantram
recognizes Him as the one with thousands of eyes (Sahasraakshan) and as the one who showers
His sincere devotees with whatever they request. As a result of these boon-giving qualities, Sri
Neelakanta Rudran gets the namaskaraNam as MeeDushE Neelagreevaaya namah asthu. This
mantram also offers its pranaamams to the chieftain in the immediate retinue of Lord
Neelagreevan (Blue-throated Lord). That passage is Atho Asya Sathvaanah yE tEbhyah Aham
Namah Aham Akaram. The word MeeDushE has been derived from the thought that He
nourishes the earth and its beings like a dark rain cloud. This mantram has the Anushtup
Chandas and has Sambhu as both Rishi and Devathaa.
The ninth mantram itself flows as follows:
namo astu Neelagreevaaya sahasraakshaaya meeDushE
Atho ye asya sathvaanOham tEbhyoakaran namah (9)
The Dhyaana Slokam for this mantram celebrates not only Swami Neelakantan but also His
consort Paarvathi as Srimat Simhaasaneswari. The slokam takes the following shape:
Saracchandra Prakaasena Vapushaa Seethala dhyutim
DhyaayEth simhaasanaaseenam Umayaa sahitam Sivam
In the above Dhyaana slokam, Sri Rudrans cool effulgence is praised. That cool radiance is said
to produce incomparable happiness on the assembled devotees. His seethala dhyuthi (cool
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jyothi) is only matched by the coolness of Paarvathi Devi seated next to Him on the
Simhaasanam, with Her heart drenched in cool compassion and mercy for the devotees.
The repetition of the ninth Sri Rudra Manthram is said to confer the blessings of Godly children,
with deep devotion to Sri Kailasa Nathan.
The Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Manthrams
The next three Sri Rudra Manthras (tenth, eleventh and twelfth) are grouped as one, and the
recitation of these three would result in the destruction of one's internal and external enemies.
The common Rishi, Chandas and Devathaa for these three mantrams are Narada, Anushtup and
Rudran, respectively.
The Dhyaana slokam connects with the chathru-naasanam (destruction of one's enemies)
objective of these three mantrams in the following manner:
udhyat bhaaskara koti prakaasam aadeepta dahana moordhaanam
bheeshana bhujanga bhoosham dhyayEt vividhayudham Rudram
The Dhyaana slokam visualizes Sri Rudra with the lustre of crores of Sooryas and with a head
that blinds one because of the housing of fire (Agni) there. He is seen as wearing the decorations
made up of terrifying serpents. He is also recognized in the form of a warrior with many
weapons.
The mantrams which are linked with the above Dhyana slokam are as follows:
Pramuncha Dhanvanastvam-ubhayoraarthinayorjyaam
Yaasccha tE hasta ishavah Paraa taa Bhagawo vapa (10)
avatatya Dhanusthvagum sahasraaksha satEshudhe
Niseerya salyaanam mukhaa Sivo nah sumanaa bhava (11)
Vijyam Dhanuh KapardinO viSalyO BaaNavaagum uta
Anesannasyeshava aabhurasya nishangathi : (12)
In the first of these three mantrams, an appeal is made to the GuNa Sampoorna Bhagawaan
Rudran to undo the cord tying the two ends of the bow. The mantram asks the Bhagawaan
Himself to undo the cord and to hide the fearsome bow. The mantram asks the Lord to remove
the arrows away from sight. Jyaam thvam Pramuncha tE Hasthe Yaa Ishavah taa Cha Paraa
Vapa, is the prayer housed in the tenth mantram.
In the next mantram, an appeal is made to the Bhagawaan Rudran with a resplendent arrow cage
to dull the edges of His sharp arrows and to undo the cord that links the two ends of the bow for
prayogam. The mantram asks the Lord to come before devotees with a tranquil and auspicious
form and to think of the well being of the frightened bhakthas. The prayer is, Sahasraaksha
SatEshudhE nah Sivo bhava! Nah sumanaa bhava! (Oh! Lord having thousands of eyes! Oh!
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Bhagawaan with thousands of arrow cages! Please cast aside your weapons! Please take the
auspicious anugraha form and have your kind thoughts shower on us!)
In the twelfth mantram, once again the prayer is to escape from the fierce weapons of Sri
Rudran. The mantram prays for the bow (Pinaakam) of the Lord to be devoid of its cord; the
arrow cage to be devoid of arrows and the knife to be missing from the knife case.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Mantrams
The next triad of the mantras (13th, 14th and 15th) forming a unitary group follows a
complementary thought to that of the previous triad of mantras. In the preceding triad, an appeal
was made for removal of Lord's weapons (upa samhaaram). In the current triad, those weapons
are invoked to protect the devotees through their power. The nigrahaa power of the knife, bow
and arrows are invoked to destroy the dangers that the devotees face in their lives. In this triad of
mantrams that form the conclusion of the first Anuvakam of Sri Rudram, one meets alternately
supplications and salutations focusing on the fearsome weapons and the powerful hands that hold
these weapons for destruction of the enemies and for the protection of the devotees. The three
mantrams housing such thoughts are as follows:
Yaa tE hethir meedushtama hastE babhoova tE dhanuh
tayaasmaan viswatastvamayakshamyaa pariBbhuja (13)
namastE astvAyudhAyAnAtatAya dhrushNavE
Ubhaabhyaamuta tE namo Baahubhyaam tava dhanvane (14)
paritE dhanvano hethirasmaan vruNaktu viSvatah
athO ya IshudhistavaarE asmannidhehi tamm (15)
Here Vedam prays tvam Asmaan Viswathah Paribbhuja , i.e., Oh! Lord, you should protect
us from all kinds of dangers. The dhanvanah hethirasmaan Parivrunaktu Let Thy arrow
placed in the bow protect us from the collections of sins that are our enemies. Please destroy
them and spare us, is the heart of this prayer. Vedam addresses Bhagawaan as MeeDushtama to
signify that He always gives more than what one asks for! Vedam identifies His weapons as
instruments for protecting and preserving the health and well being of His devotees. Vedam
clearly describes the power of the weapons of Sri Rudran and at the same time appeals for
restraint in their use. Vedam says Anaatataaya dhrushNavE astvAudhaaya namah asthu. It
describes that the weapons are in a state of rest, although they can be used any time to cause
death and destruction of extraordinary nature because of their supreme power. The Vedam
further praises the hands of the Lord, which can inflict such damage through these weapons by
stating, tE ubhaabhyaam Baahubhyaam Namah. The Vedam offers its salutations to the
bow and arrow cage and asks the Lord to direct them to the enemies (collection of sins) of the
devotees. The Vedam asks the power of the weapons to be deflected to the complex group of
sins that stand between the Lord and His devotees. The Vedam also prays for the protection of
the powerful and fearsome arrow of the Lord by invoking, tE dhanvanah hEti asmaan
Parivrunaktu. The last three mantraas of the first Anuvakam have Sri Paramasivan as common
Rishi and Devatha. Their Chandas is Anushtup. Their Dhyaana Slokam is as follows:
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Pranamadamara sangha mauli malaa

Kusuma Rajoaruna Paada Padma Yugmam
Anavaratam anusmaredh bhaavaanyaa
Saha jagataam pitharam pinaakapaaNim
The slokam visualizes the holy feet of the Lord, which is reddened by the pollens of flowers
from garlands adorning the heads of Devas when they prostrate at the Lord's feet. The slokam
hails Sri Rudrran as the father of the universe who is forever associated with Sri Paarvathi, while
holding the bow named Pinaakam in His hand.
The first anuvakam thus concludes with salutations to the power of Lord Sankara and His
fearsome weapons through 15 mantrams and asks for His eternal protection.

The Second Anuvakam

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This chapter has 13 mantrams. The Dhyaana Slokam for all of the mantrams is one and the same
and is as follows:
Mukthaalankrtha sarvaangamindu-gangaadharam Haram
DhyaayEth kalpa tharo moole samaaseenam sahomayaa
(meaning)
Let us meditate on Paramasivan who is sitting under the Kalpaka Tree along with Uma Devi,
wearing beautiful pearls on all limbs and also wearing the digit of the Moon, and Ganga Devi on
His tresses.

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In the second Anuvakam, Sri Rudram praises the many auspicious properties of Lord
Paramasivan. All of the mantrams are known as UbayatO Namaskaara Mantrams since they
have namaskaraNams on both sides of the mantram.
The First Manthram
The first mantram of this Anuvakam is as follows:
namstE astu Bhagavan-viSvESwarAya MahAdEvAya TrayamBakAya
TripurAntakAya TrikAlAgni-kAlaaya KaalAgnirudrAya
NeelakaNDAya MrutyumjayAya SarwEswarAyA
SadhASivAya SrimanmahAdEvAyA nama:
(Meaning): My salutations to BhagavAn RudrA , the Lord of the Universe , the greatest dEvA
with three eyes! My salutations to the demons who took the form of the three cities and is of the
form of trikAlaagnis as well as being the fire at the time of the ultimate deluge ! My additional
salutations for the Lord with blue throat , who won over the Lord of death as the great Lord of
all,who is always auspicious!
The second group of mantrams are as folows :
Namo HiraNya baahavE sEnaanyE disaam cha pathaye namah (1)
The three focus items to illustrate the glory of Lord Paramasiva are HiraNya Baahave namah,
sEnaanyE namah, and Disaam cha pataye namah. The salutation as HiraNyaBaahu refers to
the one who has golden-hued hands or for one who is wearing a lot of golden ornaments on His
hands. The other Veda Manthras such as the following:
AapraNakath sarva yeva suvarNa:
HiraNya baahavE varaNyaaya yata: pasya
PasyatE rukma varNam
form the basis for the Sri Rudra Manthra, HiraNyabaahave namah. It has been pointed out that
the Antaarathitya Vidyaa section of the Chandogya Upanishad describes the worship of Golden
Rudran. He is the one to be worshiped for getting the supreme blessings.
This second mantra of the second Anuvakam group seems to point out that this aspect of worship
of Lord Rudran as the golden-hued one is consistent with the spirit of the Chandogya
Upanishad's Anthaaraditya Vidyaa.
In this manthram, the military aspects and the hierarchy of that military system is also denoted
by the choice of the words senaanyE namah and Disaam cha patayE namah. Sri Rudran is
recognized here as the supreme commander of the army made of Devas, Gandharvas and
humans. He is the Lord of all these armies. He is also the supreme commander of the chieftains
of directions, such as, Fire, Vayu, Yama, Varuna and others.

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The Second Mantram

The second mantram pays further obeisance to Sri Rudran in the form of a tree, whose leaves
represent various Rudraas with the different mixes of saatvika, raajasa and taamasa Gunas. This
mantram also recognizes Lord Sri Rudran as the leader of the two-footed and the four-footed.
The mantram is as follows:
Namo VrkshebhyO HarikeSebhya: PasUnaam PatayE Namah (2)
Just as the hair is on the top of the head, leaves are on the top of the tree. Hence the Vedic
passage here relates to the vrksham (tree) and the keSam (hair). All the Upanishads and the
Geetha also compare the samsaram to a tree. Their source of comparison is from Vedam, which
is the root of all Upanishads and the Geetha.
The connection between Veda Purusha (Sri Rudran) as a tree and its leaveswhich are Devas
and Manushashas been described in our Saasthraas and Puraanaas frequently.
In this mantram, Sri Rudran is also worshipped as Pasunaam Pathaye Namah. He is
recognized as the Lord of all Jeeva Raasis. He induces them to engage in various karmaas and
also releases them from the bonds associated with their karmaas, when He is pleased with them.
Thus, He controls their destinies, and as such the namaskaraNam as Pasupathi is appropriate.
The Third Mantram
The third mantram of the second Anuvakam is
Nama saspinjaraaya tvisheematE pateenam patayE namah (3)
Sri Rudran is hailed here as the Lord of both the Veda-prescribed methods of worship and others
based on Tantras, some of which are not sanctioned by the Vedas. To permit one and all to
approach Him . Lord Mahesa gave us both the Vaidhika and Taantric ways to worship Him . He
is the resplendent knowledge base that shines as the source for all approaches to reach Him and
to get His full blessings. Indeed, there is none that is not connected to Him. His Jn~Aana
Swaroopam as a unique beam of light is revered through the choice of tvishimathe namah as the
salutation. The namaskaraNam Pateenaam Pataye Namah recognizes His links to the Vedasanctioned and the Tantric approaches. His infinite compassion led Him to bless us with both
approaches, so that one can choose the approach that is more comfortable to one's stage of
spiritual development and intellectual abilities.
The third namaskaraNam enshrined in this mantram is Saspinjaraaya namah. Here, the hue of
Lord Paramasivan is compared to that of a young blade of grass, which has the combination of
yellowish-red (golden) color when the sun's rays strike it.
The Fourth Manthram
The fourth manthram of the second Anuvakam is as follows:
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Namo Bhablusaaya vivyaadhine-annaanaam pathaye namah (4)

Sri Rudran's vahanam is referred to here, and He is saluted as the one who is seated on the bull
(BhabluSaaya namah) revered as Nandikeswara.
He is also saluted as Annaanaam Pati, i.e., Lord of all the foods that are eaten by the living
beings. At the same time, He is recognized as the one who hurts those with unacceptable
behavior (Dushtaas) with the very same food for which He is the Lord. As the Lord of Food, He
nourishes the bodies of those with Sadaachaara and hurts those with Duraacharaa.
The Fifth Manthram
The fifth manthram salutes Sri Rudran as namo HarikESaaya namah; namo UpaveetinE
Namah and namo PushtaaNaam PatayE namah. The mantram itself is as follows:
Namo HarikeSaayopaveetinE pushtaaNaam pataye nama: (5)
In the previous mantram, He was saluted as Annaanaam Pataye namah; eating of the right kind
of food sanctioned by Lord Siva gives one nourishment and wealth known as Pushti. Because
Lord Siva controls food directly and the nourishment wealth arising from the consumption of
food indirectly, He is hailed here as Pushtaanaam Pataye namah. The Pushtis representing
spiritual knowledge and material wealth can be split up in to following 10 subdivisions:
(1)

Vaak Pushti (Gift of Speech)

(2)

Jn~Aana Pushti (Gift of Discriminating Knowledge)

(3)

Sareera Indriya Pushti (Gift of healthy limbs and sound body)

(4)

Gruha Kshethra Pushti (Gift or blessing of happy / healthy home)

(5)

Dhana Dhanya Pushti (Blessings of wealth and grains)

(6)

Prajaa Pushti (Blessings of children and family)

(7)

Pasu Pushti (Blessings of herds of cow)

(8)

Graama Pushti (Blessings of disturbance-free peaceful community for residence)

(9)

Dharma Pushti (Blessings of a community steeped in Veda Aacharams and

righteousness)

(10)

aNimaati Pushti (The gift of mysterious powers involving the conquest of space and
time, et al)

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This mantra also hints that the Lord controlling food supply and nourishment is Himself very fit
and healthy as indicated by the namaskaraNam , Namo Harikesaaya namah. Through this
salutation, He is recognized as an eternal youth typified by His gray-free, black tresses. By this
namaskaraNam, tribute is paid to His bodily beauty and youth. The next namaskaraNam of this
mantram recognizes Him as one who is supremely austere in conduct of special practices. He is
referred to in this context as Upaveethi, and the namaskaaram is Upaveethine namah. He is
saluted as a Brahmin with yagnopaveetham for practicing rituals sanctioned by Vedas.
The Sixth Manthram
The sixth manthram celebrates His lordship over the universe and His role as the instrument of
destruction of the tree of samsara, the never-ending cycles of births and deaths. The mantram is
as follows:
Namo bhavasya hEtyai jagathaam patayE namah (6)
With His blessings, one gets Jn~Aanam for gaining Moksham and He acts as a weapon to strike
down the samsara tree (bhavasya hEtyai namah). In an earlier section, He was hailed as
PaSupati, because He was the one who bound the living being to the tree of samsara. Here, He is
recognized as the one who releases the living being from the chains of samsara by cutting the
chains and the tree. This is the reference behind the salutation: Namo Jagataam PatayE namah.
The Seventh Manthram
The seventh manthram celebrates Him as the one who drives the misfortunes and sorrows
(Rudran) of samsara and as the one who attaches the cord to his bow to protect the world and its
beings (Namo Aatataavine Namah). He is also hailed here as the protector of holy places and
punya kshethrams (Namo KshethraaNaam Pathaye Namah). The full text of the seventh
manthram is as follows:
Namo Rudraayaatataavine KshethraaNaam Pataye Namah (7)
The Eighth Manthram
The eighth manthram praises Sri Rudran as the Lord of the Forests and as the charioteer of the
universe. He is also praised as the great internal beacon of light, which cannot be harmed by
anyone or anything. This mantram is as follows:
Namassootaaya Hantyaaya Vanaanaam PatayE Namah (8)
Here, the chariot is equated to the universe and Sri Rudran is recognized as the master charioteer
to guide the course of the universe in the form of the chariot.
The Ninth Mantram

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The ninth mantram recognizes Him as the Lord of all the Trees in this universe and describes
that His color is , red while He plays the role of the Lord of all Trees. This mantram also pays
obeisance to Lord Rudran as the lofty Lord who is protecting everyone and everything by
spreading Himself everywhere. This mantram through the prayer, Namo Stapataye namah,
recognizes that He is visvatOmrtavah, i.e. spread out in all the nooks and corners of His
universe. The full mantram is as follows:
Namo Rohitaaya sthapataye vrkshaaNaam patayE namah (9)
The Tenth Manthram
In the tenth manthram, Sri Rudran is described as the originator of the seven crores of mantrams
that constitute the Mantra Saastraam. He is also recognized as the Swami of the secret
Upanishads and Tantrams. His awareness of all the activities at all corners of the universe is
paid tribute to, and He is compared to a master merchant who has all the commercial intelligence
to carry on his successful business. His lordship over mountains, rivers, forests and bushes is
also explained through the passage Namo KakshaaNaam PatayE namah. The full mantram is
as follows:
Namo mantriNE vaaNijaaya kakshaaNaam patayE namah (10)
His Mahaa mantra Swaroopam and His pervasiveness in all manthras are referred to in the
salutation Namo MantriNE Namah. The namaskaaram, Namo Vaanijaaya namah, refers to
His awareness of all human activities everywhere, just as a successful merchant dealing in
commodities will know about the detailed intelligence on the product movement and
merchandising of those commodities. Lord Rudra's sarvajn~atvam is implied here.
The Eleventh Manthram
The eleventh manthram identifies Sri Rudran as the force behind the growth of every living unit
in this universe. He is also identified as the resident in the heart lotus of His devotees. His
protection of all the medicinal herbs and His conferral of the curative powers to them is
recognized through the namaskaaram, Namo Oushadheenaam pataye namah. His ability to
protect and nourish each and every one of the living beings of this universe is described through
the salutation, Namo bhuvantayE Namah. His close association with His devotees by having
His home in their heart lotuses is described by the namaskaaram, Namo Vaarivaskrdhaaya
namah. The complete manthram is as follows:
Namo bhuvantayE vaarivaskrthaaya-oushadheenaam patayE namah (11)
The Twelfth Manthram
The twelfth manthram recognizes His samhara swaroopam in terms of His being the ultimate
and invincible warrior. His loud scream alone was sufficient to destroy Manmathaa. Such is His
power of destruction that, in the Mahaa bharatham War, Arjunaa saw Rudran destroying all of

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his enemies, although the arrows nominally came from Arjunaa's bow. He is the force behind
any death or destruction. The mantram connected with samhara activities is as follows:
Nama ucchair goshaayaakrandayatE pateenaam pataye namah (12)
When Sri Rudran confronts the Asuraas and other enemies of His, He lets out a powerful scream
and the mantram recognizes that terrifying sound and salutes, Namo Ucchair Goshaaya Namah.
Sri Rudran lets out the scream and throws himself into the fight and destroys His enemies
without fail. That skill in war is recognized through the namaskaaram, Namo ucchair
goshaaya aakranthayate pataye namah. In the missing word of this mantram, (patheenaam),
His role as the commander-in-chief of the foot soldiers of the army is alluded to by the
salutation, Namo pateenaam patayE namah. This mantram reminds us that He is the force
behind the foot soldiers and that He already has destroyed His enemies through His loud scream,
and the foot soldiers symbolically finish the destruction.
The Thirteenth Manthram
In the final mantram, His auspicious protective qualities are described. His compassion for the
innocent and His concern for the welfare of His devotees are dramatically described by the
choice salutations, Namah Krtsnaveethaaya namah and Namah Satvaanaam PatayE namah.
His affection for His devotees causes Him to run after them, whenever they get into any
difficulties. This namaskaaram, which is a moving one, takes the form of Namah Dhaavathe
Namah. Like a cow runs after her calf, Lord Rudran is known to follow His devotees to make
sure that He will be close by to protect them as they engage in their daily activities. The text of
this manthram is as follows:
Namah Krtsnaveethaaya dhaavathe satvaanaam patayE namah (13)
By the term, Krthsnaveethaaya namah, the mantram reminds us about His all-pervasive nature;
His indwelling in all living beings and things and as resider in every nook and corner of His
universe is alluded to by the namaskaaram, Namah Krthsnaveethaaya. His role as the
yajamanaa of all the innocent sadhus of the universe is described by another salutation: Namah
satvaanaam patayE namah.
As mentioned earlier, all of the thirteen manthrams of the second Anuvakam have the same
Dhyaana slokam. The recitation of the second Anuvakam after the invocation of Sri Rudram
through the Dhyaana slokam will result in the destruction of all of our internal and external
enemies and delivers us material wealth and success in our various endeavors.

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The Third Anuvakam

This Anuvakam has 17 Avaanthara Yajur Mantrams. The recitation of this anuvakam for 5,000
times after Praajapatya Krichra anushtaanam is known to remove the prevalent infectious
diseases in the nation and the destruction of all sins caused by lust and greed as well as the
destruction of one's enemies. The first eight mantras develop the theme that Sri Rudran is none
other than Sarveswaran, who is the indweller of all the human beings independent of their
intellectual status or professional calling. These eight mantras focus on thieves and develop the
theme that He is the antaryaami of the thieves as well and their Lord. He is there in them as
Jeeva Swaroopam and Iswara Swaroopam. Lord as the supreme principle pervading all of His
creations cannot but be in them, even if some of them happen to be engaged in derisive activities
such as thievery. The hope of Iswaran is that the people engaged in such activities not permitted
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by saasthraas can still receive His blessings, once they repent and approach Him as prodigal sons
approaching their father. Vedam is elaborate in the description of the various kinds of thievery
practised by these misled men and asserts that Iswara is still their Lord and owner. The
Sambandham (relationship) between SrI Rudran and the Jeevathma is indicated in these 8
mantrams dealing with Him as the Lord of Thieves. One should not interpret these verses as
indicators of SrI Rudran being as the head of thieves who engage in the normal kinds of thievery.
The abnormal and unique kind of thievery practiced by Sri Rudran is when He steals the hearts
of His devotees, including those of former thieves. Since He is such an uncontested expert in
stealing the hearts and minds of His devotees, there is no question about His paramount title
alluded to as the Lord of Thieves.
The Dhyaana Slokam for all of the 17 Avaanthara ( extraneous) Yajur Manthrams of the third
Anuvakam is one of the most beautiful pieces of literature. Actually, the slokam is more in the
form of a Gadhyam and celebrates the Kirata (hunter) and the Bhairava aspect of Maheswaran.
One can focus on the Dhyaana Slokam after studying the meaning of the 17 manthrams.
The First Mantram
The first mantram describes the dual aspects of Maheswaran, which permits Him not only to
forgive the mistakes of His devotees, but also to punish firmly those who rise against Him by
mind, body or speech. The text of the mantram is as follows:
Namah Sahamaanaaya Nivyaadhina Aavyaadhineenaam Pataye Namah (1)
By the salutation Namah Sahamaanaaya, Sri Rudram celebrates Sri Rudran's qualities of
controlling His enemies and forgiving the trespasses of His devotees because of His enormous
affection for them. By the salutation, Nivyaadhine Namah, Sri Rudram pays tribute to the
extraordinary capability of Sri Rudran to pulverize His enemies. In the final salutation of the
first mantram, the commander-in-chief status of Sri Rudran and His leadership of His army to
punish the wicked is alluded to. This salutation is, Namah Avyaadhineenaam Pataye Namah.
He is thus recognized as the commander of the heroic army of Siva Ganaas containing fierce
fighters such as Aghora Veerabhadran, who destroyed the Daksha Prajaapathi's yag~nam at the
behest of Sri Rudran.
The Second Mantram
The second mantram begins to focus on the theme of His being the chieftain of thieves. The
mantram itself is as follows:
Namah Kakubhaaya NishanginE SteEnaanaam Pataye Namah (2)
His sarva saakshi aspect is described in this and the next six manthras, as His relationship to the
thieves is being developed. He is saluted as Kakhubhaaya namah, meaning Hail to the chief
of thieves. His appearance in His role as the chief of thieves is next described when Sri Rudram
salutes Him as NishanginE namah. This salutation recognizes Him as the one who wields the
sharp-bladed sword in His hands. He is next addressed as StEnaanam pataye namah. Here,
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Vedam hails Him as the Lord of the Thieves, who hides and waits to ambush His victims.
StEnah refers to one who conceals himself while performing a theft. In contrast, Taskarah is
one who openly commits a theft. The intent of the mantram is to remind us that Iswaran is
supremely skillful in every activity and is not bereft of leading the skills of even thieves. It is He
who watches over and later redeems the soul of the thieves who knowingly or unknowingly are
engaged in sinful acts. By the Lord's grace, the thief mends his way; that is when his heart is
stolen by the Lord. A former thief has no power in preventing the theft of his heart when the
leader among the thieves Himself makes a strike for his heart.

The Third Mantram

The third mantram focuses on the Lord who belongs to the category of Taskarah. Maheswara is
saluted in this manthram as Taskaraanaam Pataye namah. The appearance of the
commander-in-chief of thieves (Taskarah) is described as having a bow and an arrow in His
hand and an arrow cage on His back. The militaristic attire of Sri Rudran is saluted as
Nisangina Isudhimathe namah. The whole manthram is as follows:
Namo Nisangina IsudhimatE taskaraaNaam PatayE Namah (3)
The Fourth Manthram
The fourth manthram continues to describe other kinds of thieves, for whom Sri Rudran is also
commander-in-chief. The fourth manthram is as follows:
Namo VanchatE ParivanchatE Sthaayoonaam PatayE Namah (4)
Three kinds of thieves and their specialties in thievery are described here. Lord Maheswara is
identified as the leader of them as well, besides Sthenaah and Taskaraah.
The first of the three kinds of thieves is Vanchathah. This type of thief will be faithful to his
masters, but will cheat and rob some of them occasionally. The second kind of thief is
Parivanchathah. This one cheats and robs everyone. The last of the triad of thieves mentioned
here is Sthaayooh. He is the one who is an insider and robs in day or night without revealing
himself and by betraying the trust placed in him as an honored member of his community. Lord
Maheswaran is saluted as the pathi (leader) of all of these three types of thieves.
The respective salutations are as follows:
Namo VanchatE PatayE Namah
Namo ParivanchatE PatayE Namah
Namo Sthayoonam PatayE Namah
The Fifth Manthram

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The next manthram celebrates the Lord playing the role of chieftain of another triad of thieves.
Namo nichEravE ParicharaayaaraNyaanaam PathayE Namah (5)
The first of the salutations is Namo Nicherave PathayE Namah. The rest are as follows: Namo
Paricharaaya PathayE namah and namo Aaranyaanaam PathayE Namah. The first kind of
thief is the kind who is staying at his superior's house and biding for his time to commit a theft.
The second kind of thief is the one who roams around the bazaar committing burglaries. The
third type is the one who lives in forests to waylay unwary travellers. The Rudram salutes Sri
Rudran as the chief of this triad of thieves as well.
The Sixth Manthram
In the sixth manthram, another triad of thieves is described and the Lord's suzerainty over them
is saluted. The mantram takes the following form:
Namah SrkaavibhyO jighagum SadhbhyO MushNataam PatayE Namah (6)
The three kinds of thieves mentioned are as follows:
(1)

The armed robber who harms others while protecting himself through his weapons
against counter attacks. This type of thief is Srkaavi.

(2)

The one who harms animals while committing robbery. This one is Nidhagumsah.

(3)

The type who does not attack anyone but commits property theft, such as stealing others
grains stored in fields.

The salutations to Iswaran as the Lord of this triad of thieves are as follows:
Namah Srkaavibhyo PatayE Namah
Namah jighagumsadhbhyO PatayE Namah
Namah MushNataam PatayE Namah
The Seventh Manthram
The text of the seventh manthram is as follows:
Namo
Nakthamcharadhbhyah Prakrntaanaam Pathaye Namah (7)

asimadhbhyO

The words asimadh, Naktamcharah, and Prakrntaah describe the above three kinds of thieves
and this manthram salutes the pathi of all these three types of thieves.
(Meaning): Salutations to him , who sports the sword in his hand, who roams around in the night
to steal and to him, who is the leader of those who cause bodily harm and steal .
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The Eighth Manthram

The eighth manthram is the last of the manthrams in this Anuvakam to salute the Lord as the
leader of the thieves. Here, the manthram describes the two kinds of thieves engaged in cheating
and robbing people of their fields and houses. One type stays in the village and cheats them
while occupying posts as civil servants. This kind of thief abuses the privileges of his office and
steals the wealth of fellow villagers gradually. This kind of thief looks like the rest of the
villagers for all intents and purposes except that this type of thief wears the official dress.
Corrupt politicians of the modern day are good examples of this type of thieves. The other kind
lives outside the village in forests and caves and lands on the village on forays to steal the
villagers' property periodically.
These two types of thieves focusing on the villagers are known as Kulunjanaah. The type
wearing the official turban is described as Ushneeshinah. The type which commits roving
robbery from its mountain or forest base is described as Giricharaah. The text of the whole
manthram describing these types of thieves is as follows:
Nama ushNeeshinE Giricharaaya Kulunjaanam PatayE Namah (8)
The Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth Manthrams
In the remaining nine manthras of the third Anuvakam, salutations are made to the prowess of
Sri Rudra in His warrior form. Tribute is paid to the Sarvaantharyaamin (indweller) and
Sarvavyapi (all-pervasive) aspects of Sri Rudra. These mantraas are quite brief but profound in
meaning.
From mantraas 9 to 12, we come across the descriptions of Sri Rudran in His fierce warrior form.
The ninth mantram for instance salutes SrI Rudran with bow and arrow in His hands. The
mantram itself is as follows:
Nama Ishumadbhyo Dhanvaa-vibhyasccha Vo Namah (9)
While describing the fierce and terrifying (Ghora) forms of Sri Rudran, the mantrams perform
dual salutations (ubhayatho namaskaarams) to make sure that Sri Rudra at least catches one or
the other of the Pranaamams. That is why we see the Aksharam (vo) in the mantrams to
emphasize the ubhayatho namaskaarams. Here, Sri Rudran is visualized as holding the arrow
in one hand (Ishumadhbhyah) and the bow (Dhanvavibhyah) in the other hand.
The tenth mantram takes us up one more step like the unfolding of a scene into different dynamic
frames.
In this mantram, Sri Rudran is visualized as tying the cord to the bow and putting the arrow on
the cord for aiming at the target. His act of tying the cord is saluted as Aatanvaanebhyah vah
namah. The act of setting the arrow on the cord for delivery is saluted as PratidadhAnebhyah
vah namah. The whole manthram is as follows:
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Namah AatanvaanEbhya PratidadhAnebhyasccha Vo Namah (10)

The eleventh manthram continues to describe the next step in the blossoming of Sri Rudran's
skills as a Master Archer. This manthram is as follows:
Namah Aayacchadbhyo Visrujadbhyasccha Vo Namah (11)
Here, salutation is made to Sri Rudran as He is pulling the cord to set the tension for releasing
the arrow. The two namaskaarams are Aayacchadbhyah vah namah and Visrujadbhyasccha
vah namah. In one salutation, He is praised for drawing the cord and in the other for releasing
the arrow.
The twelfth manthram describes the final stage of the delivery of arrow, which relates to the
power to land the arrow in the direction of the target and hitting the target precisely. This
manthram is as follows:
Namosyadbhyo vidhyabhdhyasccha Vo Namah (12)
Here, Asyadhbhyah vah namah refers to His unfailing skill in hitting the target successfully.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Manthrams
The remaining 5 manthras of this Anuvakam praises His pervasive presence in all living beings
and in all stages of their activities.
The thirteenth manthram salutes Sri Rudran as the one who is seated and as the one who is
resting. This manthram is as follows:
Nama Aaseenebhyah Sayaanebhyasccha Vo Namah (13)
The portion of the manthram paying respect to the seated form of Sri Rudran is Aaseenebhyah
vah namo namah. The other portion of the manthram salutes the resting form of Sri Rudran as
Sayaanebhyasccha vah namo namah.
The fourteenth manthram pays its regards to Sri Rudra in His wakeful (jaagradbhyah) and
sleeping (svapadbhyah) states. The manthram corresponding to this namaskaranam is as
follows:
Namah Svapadbhyo Jaagradbhyasccha Vo Namah (14)
The fifteenth mantram salutes Sri Rudrans stationary and mobile forms. As He stays put
(tishtadbhyah), He is saluted; as He runs (dhaavadbhyasccha) after the devotees to save them
from their misfortunes, He is again saluted. This mantram paying its respect to the stationary and
dynamic forms of Sri Rudran is as follows:

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Namastishtadbhyo Dhaavadbhyasccha Vo Namah (15)

The sixteenth manthram of the third Anuvakam salutes Sri Rudran as a leader of an assembly of
people and as the various members in that assembly. Here, the analogy is to the sun in the sky
which is reflected in a river or in a well or in a pot of water. The same sun is seen everywhere
although it looks like there are many individual suns. This mantram is as follows:
Namah sabhaabhya: sabhaapatibhyasccha Vo Namah (16)
The namaskaarams are Nama Sabhaabhyah , Sabhaapathibhyasccha namo namah.
The final manthram of this Anuvakam salutes Him as being the indweller of the poor and the
rich. The analogy is to Asvah (horses) and Asvapatibhyah (riders or owners of horses). The
horse carries its owner to places of business so he can accumulate wealth. The horse itself does
not share that wealth, except that it gets fed. The horse does not plan for the next day's work to
make wealth, but the horse owner does.
The mantram containing these thoughts on the Viswa antaryaamitvam of Sri Rudran is as
follows:
Namo Asvebhyosccha Patibhyasccha Vo Namah (17)
All of the 17 manthras of the third Anuvakam are treated as one unitary manthram. As such,
they share their Rishi, Devathaa and Chandas. The Chandas is Bruhathi. The Rishi and the
Devatha is SrI Rudran Himself.
The Dhyanam for this Anuvakam is enshrined in the following beautiful passage:
Roopa Youvana Sampannaa Moortheva Vana Devathaa
Pushpithaneka Punnaaga Sahakara SiSoopamah
Pancha Vimsathi Nakshatra Maayura Kratha Sekharah
Akalanga Sarat Poorna Chandra Bimbha Samaananah
Praathar Vibbuddha Padmabham Vasaanam charma Komalam
Savyaapasavya vidhrutha Mala Vibooshitah
Dharaa Kadamba Punjena Nabhidesa PralamBinaa
Aajangam Prekshaneeyena Prekshaneeyopi Satrubhih
Bhoo Dharasya cha ChaarBangi Kanyaalankaara Sobhithaa
AadarSa Moorthih Shobhanaamanyaa Nareerva Nirmalaa
Tasya Haste Dhanur Dattva Saramekam cha Nirmalam
Tadheeyamamsa Maalam vyaaSlishtam Vaamena Baahunaa
Sugandhi PushpastaBagamaagraayaagraaya PaNinaah
Veejyaamano Mandamandam Vana pallava saakahaya
Samavrttho Balakaisccha Svabhiscchabhi Manoharaih
Gacchadbhiragratho Drpthai Dhyaathavyo Jagaataam Guruh
Evam Roopo Mahatejaa Kitaara Vapureeswarah

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The beautiful form of Sri Rudran as Kirata Bhairavan is saluted through the Dhyana sloka. He is
moving about the forest in the garb of a hunter accompanied by his consort Bhairavi. The
meaning of the slokas is summarized below:
He is brimming with youthful strength and beauty, and He looks like a forest god. He looks in
His beauty as young saplings of punnaga and mango trees with their full blossoms of flowers; He
is wearing peacock feathers in His tresses; He is also adorned by 25 nakshatras (stars) in His
coiffure. His face is like a full moon in its beauty and it is free of any blemish. He is wearing a
dress made of animal skin, which makes Him look like the just-blossomed morning lotus in its
beauty: on the left and right side of His body, He is wearing the beautiful yellow flowers known
as Konrai. From His waist onto His ankles, He is wearing a dress made of kathamba flowers;
His beauty is such that even His enemies are overcome by it. He reminds one of the fully
decorated woman possessing all the 32 saamudrika lakshanams of beauty because of His
overpowering presence.
He has given His bow and arrow to His consort and with that freed hand of His, He is resting it
over Her shoulder in a posture of embrace. With His other (right) hand, He is holding a bunch of
flowers close to His nose to enjoy their fragrance. While He moves around the forest in the
company of His consort, the gentle breeze caused by the movement of the leaves cools Him. He
is surrounded by powerful dogs and little children, as He moves around as a hunter in the forest.
The verses say that we should meditate on this form of the lustrous teacher of the universe.

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-33-

The Fourth Anuvakam

There are 14 mantras in this Anuvakam. They celebrate Sri Rudran, who is pervasively present
in all living beings and things. The energy behind all the activities of human beings in all their
professions is also identified with the supreme energy of Sri Rudran empowered by Sri
Narasimhan ( Mantra Raaja Padha stotram) . The imagination of the Vedam in listing the
varieties of Sri Rudran, immanent in all activities, is extraordinarily impressive.
The First Mantram
The first mantram refers to Ambal, who destroys Asuras from all four sides (right, left, up and
down) by hitting them. She also destroys them through Her various forms as Varahi, Dhanda
Matha, Durga, Chaamundi and others. Sri Rudran says that it is Sri Rudran, who is behind all
those destructive (samharam) activities. The first mantram is as follows:
Namah Aavyaadhineebhyo vividhyanteebhyasccha vo namah (1)

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The namaskaaram Aavyaadhineebhyo Namo Namah refers to the skills and energy of the
Devis, who attack the Asuras from all the four sides.
The other namaskaaram,
Vividhyantheebhyasccha va Namo Namah refers to Sri Rudran being in the form of Samhara
Moorthis, appearing as women and hitting the Asuras with many kinds of weapons.
The Second Manthram
The second manthram identifies Sri Rudran with the Anugraha Sakthis of Devathas such as the
seven Maatrukas, who are nothing but the Amsas of Sri Raja Rajeswari. The corresponding
salutation is ugaNaabhyah Vah Namo Namah. The other salutation contained in this
manthram refers to the angry Durga with Her ferocious aspects (ugra kalas). She takes pleasure
in attacking and destroying the enemies who harm the righteous people. The portion of the
second manthram referring to Sri Rudran being the power base of ferocious Durga is trugum
Hatheebhyah Va Namo Namah. The whole manthram is as follows:
Nama ugaNaabhyastrugum Hatheebhyasccha vo namah (2)
The Third Mantram
The third mantram refers to Sri Rudra being the force behind the scholars and pundits who make
a living through their intelligence and those who are the benefactors of such scholars and pandits.
This mantram is as follows:
Namo Grtsebhyo Grtsapatibhyasccha vo namah (3)
The term Grtsah refers to one who is both a scholar and a materialist as opposed to a
disinterested scholar. The kings and other rich men who offer protection to such worldly
scholars are known as Grtsapatih.
The Fourth Mantram
The fourth mantram refers to the various communities of craftsmen and artisans and pays tribute
to Sri Rudran as their protector. The mantram is as follows:
Namo VraatEbhyo Vraatapatibhyasccha vo Namah (4)
The term Vraatha denotes the many kinds of guildsmen and their assembly.
The Fifth Mantram
The fifth mantram salutes Sri Rudran as the Lord protector of all the retinue (Ganaas) that follow
Him. He is recognized here as the Pati (commander and protector) of the Siva Ganaas. The
mantram corresponding to this salutation is as follows:
Namo GaNebhyo Ganapatibhyasccha vo Namah (5)

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The Sixth Mantram

The sixth mantram elaborates on the appearances of the GaNaas for whom Lord Rudran is the
commander-in-chief. This mantram is as follows:
Namo VirUpebhyo ViSwarupebhyasccha Vo Namah (6)
VirUpam refers to the ugly and frightening features of some of the Siva Ganaas in their ferocious
(Ghora) aspect. Viswarupam refers to the multitudinous forms and features of the Siva Ganaas,
who serve the Lord in all corners of His universe. VirUpam can be interpreted as vigatham
rupam or vikaaram rupam. If we follow the first definition, Lord Rudran can be understood as
ArUpi or without any set form or shape ( Nirguna Brahmam concept) . The second definition
refers to His pervading this universe in many ferocious forms.
The Seventh Mantram
The seventh mantram is associated with the eight types of wealth known as aNimathyashta
sampath. The eight types are anima (shrinking of one's body), mahimaa (enlarging one's body),
lagima (lightening of one's body to fly off), garimaa (densifying one's body so no force can
move it), vasithvam (ability to seduce others or to let them follow), eiswaryam (being a leader),
praapthi (getting what one wishes) and prakaamyam (to be at any place one wants). Sri Rudran
is referred to as the force behind the one blessed with aNima and other related powers. He is
also saluted as the Lord of those who are not fortunate to have the animathi sakthis. The
manthram is as follows:
Namo Mahadbhyah KshullakEbhyasccha vo Namah (7)
Mahadbhyah are those who have the sakthis such as aNimaa . Kshullekah are those who are not
fortunate to have aNimathi sakthis.
The Eighth Mantram
The eighth mantram pays tribute to Sri Rudran as the one who is seated on a chariot and as the
one who is walking with His own feet without the benefit of going from place to place with the
chariot. This mantram is as follows:
Namo rathibhyo arathEbhyasccha vo Namah (8)
The Ninth Mantram
The ninth mantram relates to Sri Rudran as the one who is the form of the chariot and as the rider
of that chariot. This can also mean Sri Rudran is the form of this body and one who directs it to
engage in various activities. This mantram takes the fol1owing form:
Namo Rathebhyo Rathapatibhyasccha vo Namah (9)

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The Tenth and Eleventh Mantrams

The next two mantras relate to the military aspects of the force of Siva, which energizes and
manages such activities. The tenth and the eleventh mantrams dealing with armies (foot
soldiers) and cavalry are as follows:
NamassEnaabhyah Senaanibhyasccha vo Namah (10)
Namah Kshatthrubhyah Sangraheetrubhyasccha vo Namah (11)
Sri Rudran is recognized as the assembled armies and their commander in the tenth mantram.
The next mantram recognizes Him as the force behind the mechanics who fix the chariots and as
the ones who pull to a halt the horses that are bound to a chariot. Earlier, Sri Rudra was
addressed as the one who was seated in the chariot. The many forms of Sri Rudran
(Sarvaatmakah) prevalent in every act and function of life is alluded to here. It is hinted that
nothing can move or function without His energy and force.The VaishNava para meaning is that
Sriman NarayaNan inside Sri Rudran empowers Him .
The Twelfth and Thirteenth Mantrams
The next two mantrams describe His force behind four other artisans following their respective
professions. These mantrams are as follows:
Namastakshabhyo rathakaarebhyasccha vo Namah (12)
Namah Kulaalebhyah Karmaarebhyasccha vo Namah (13)
The indwelling aspects of Sri Rudran behind carpenters, chariot decorators, potters and metal
smiths is alluded in the above two mantrams. In every one of them, Vedam sees Sri Rudran
engaged and engaging the artisans in their chosen fields of work.
The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Mantrams
The next two mantrams pay regard to Sri Rudran as the activating force behind bird-hunters,
fishermen and weapon-smiths. The two mantrams are as follows:
Namah Punjishtebhyo Nishaadebhyasccha vo Namah (14)
Namah Ishukrdbhyo dhanvakrdbhyasccha vo Namah (15)
Punjishtah is the one who spreads a net on the floor of the forest to catch the birds for food;
Nishaadha is also a hunter / forager, but he catches fish. In general, the term Nishaadha stands
for a tribesman, who has no agricultural skills.
The above mantram salutes Sri Rudran as the power behind the knowledge and skills of all the
above craftsmen.

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The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Mantrams

The remaining two mantrams of this Anuvakam refer to other huntsmen concentrating on woods
and their assistants, who put collars on the hunting dogs and drag them to the hunts. One of the
two mantrams refers to the Atma Chaithanyam of Sri Rudran shining through in such a lowly
animal as a dog and salutes Sri Rudran who protects that lowly dog as well. The two mantrams
are as follows:
Namo Mrgayubhyah Svanibhyasccha vo namah (16)
Namah Svabhyah: Svapatibhyasccha vo namah (17)
The various references to Sri Rudran being the Atma Chaithanyam (informing intelligence) in
dogs and horses and all classes of craftsmen only elaborates on the Mahavakyam, Aham
Brahmasmi and Thath tvam-asi. Sri Rudram through these passages celebrates the concept
of Sarva advaitham. By stating Namah Svabhyah, one does not equate the body of Sri Rudran
to a dog, but rather refers to the chaitanyam resident in the dog's body as the same as the
Parameswara Chaithanyam. The celebrated Bhagavad Geetha passage, Sunicchaiva Svapaake
cha Pandithaah Sama Darsinah, underlines this principle. This Geetha passage states that the
truly learned person looks with equanimity on the dog and the dog-eating chandala. The knower
of the Self (Atman) according to the Geetha sees nothing but the Brahma Chaithanyam in
everything of this universe. Such a person is not deluded by outer appearances or difference in
occupations pursued by the human beings to make their livings.
The different mantrams of the Fourth Anuvakam really state that the Brahma Chaithanyam
giving names and forms to various objects of creation is the one and only, undivided unitary
principle. Like the reflection of the Sun seen on the waters of Ganga and the one seen on the
unclean waters of the pond in a slum are nothing but reflections of the same sun. In a similar
fashion, the power of Sri Rudran is recognized as the shining force behind each and every living
object, independent of its form, shape or rank. The mantram reminds us that we should not be
misled by outer appearances, but should recognize the underlying force that form the common
denominator among all the diverse beings, associated with Sriman NaarAyaNan's creation.

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The Fifth Anuvakam

The limitless glories of Sri Rudran and His personal presence are celebrated in this Anuvakam.
The First Mantram
The first mantram is a celebrated one and is as follows:
Namo Bhavaaya cha Rudraaya cha (1)
We see two cha in this and other mantrams. The aksharam cha stands for also. The above
passage punctuated by it means that the salutations are not only for Bhava but also for Rudra.
These types of dual namaskaarams are known as anyatho namaskaara mantrah.
By the salutation, Namo Bhavaaya, reference is made to Sri Rudran as the originator of this
univese. By the salutation, Namo Rudraaya cha, reference is also made to His great qualities
that wipe away the sorrows of samsara and bless one with moksham and freedom from the cycles
of births and deaths.
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The Second Mantram

The second mantram praises two other celebrated attributes of Sri Rudran. One is that He is
sarvan and the other is that he serves as Pasupathi. Aptly, the mantram reminds us about the
above two qualities through the salutation:
Namah-Sarvaaya cha PaSupataye cha (2)
Sarvaaya cha namah means a salutation to the Lord, who attacks and destroys everything and
every being at pralayam. His qualities as Samhara Moorthi are celebrated through this
namaskaram.
Pasupataye namah means that he is the Lord of all the jeevans known as pasu. The destiny of
these jeevans is intricately tied to Him as their one and only overlord.
The above two mantrams have a profound significance since they describe Rudran as the
Supreme God who engages in Pancha Krithyams or five deeds. These five activities of His are
Creation (Srishti), Protection and Maintenance (Sthithi), Destruction (Samharam), Hiding the
truth (Tirodhanam) and finally Moksham (Anugraham).
The namaskaram aimed at Bhavan recognized through the namo Bhavaaya portion of the
mantram refers to His (Srishti) creative aspect. Namo Rudraaya refers to His Anugraha aspect.
Nama Sarvaaya refers to His Samhara aspect. Nama Pasupathaye refers to His aspect of
concealing his form through Maya (Triodhanam) and Maintenance (Sthithi).
These two manthras also remind one of the principles behind Nataraja, the dancing God, which
is none other than the Lord of Paarvati symbolizing Pancha Krithyams in His dancing pose.
It is appropriate to digress here to comment on the importance given to Pancha Krithyams in
Saiva Siddhantham, which celebrates Sri Rudram. In this Siddhantham (tradition), God does not
create jeevans. He creates the bodies that house the jeevathmaas. Thus, He performs His first of
the five acts known as Creation. He protects the bodies that He created through the second of
His acts, known as Sthithi. At the conclusion of the cycle of those bodies, He destroys them and
thereby performs His third act, known as Samharam. All of the above acts take place on this
earth dealing with the bodies of living beings.
The fourth and fifth acts known as Tirodhanam and Anugraham deal with the Jeevathma and not
with their temporary shell, which is the body. By perfecting the Jeevathma inside, He prepares it
to become fit to reach His holy feet. This act is known as Tirodhanam. He then blesses the
Jeevathma in its state of perfection and blesses it to join Siva Sayujyam. This final act is known
as Anugraham.
In the body of the Dancing God, one witnesses the symbols of the Pancha Krithyams described
above. The Damarukam (little drum) on the upper right hand symbolizes the act of creation,
through the notes it emanates. The birth of limitless creatures and their birth cry is indicated by
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the sounds emanating from the play of the damarukam. The hand gesture known as Abhaya
Mudra seen on the lower right hand side symbolizes the protective (Sthithi) aspect of Pancha
kritya. On the upper left hand is Agni, which is nothing but Pralaya Kala Agni denoting
Samharam. By bending His right leg and placing it on the bent back of the Demon Muyalahan,
Sri Nataraja indicates the TirodhAnam aspect of His Pancha krithyam. This act prepares the
Jeevathma to become perfect and thereby qualify for Anugraham, which is symbolized by the
lifted left foot. This Kunchita Padam is the blessing for all jeevans to get the release from the
endless cycles of birth and death in Saiva siddhAntam.
Through the exercise of all of His five acts represented by his limbs, Sri Nataraja Moorthy is
worshipped with the salutation, Om Panchakrtya Paarayanaaya Namaha. This Pancha
Krithyam forming the basis of Saiva Siddhantham is the subject of the first two manthrams of the
fifth Anuvakam.
The Third Manthram
The third manthram salutes Nataraja as the bluish-throated Neela Kanta in reference to His
drinking the potent poison that came out of the milky ocean, when it was churned by the asuraas
and devaas. His beautiful white neck, prior to swallowing the poison is also saluted in this
manthram as follows:
Namo Neelagreevaya cha SithikanDaaya cha (3)
The merciful aspect of Sri Rudran to protect the world from the cruel effects of the poison is
celebrated here.
The Fourth Manthram
The fourth manthram salutes Sri Rudran as the one with beautiful matted hair (Jata) and also as
the one in the form of a Sanyasi with clean-shaven head. Kaparthi means one with an assembly
of matted hair. The Paramahamsa or the Sanyasi form of SI Rudran is indicated by the
salutation, Vyupatha kesa cha namah. When Lord Sankara appeared in this world with the four
Vedas, he took the form of Adi Sankaracharya, the sanyasi with shaven head. The Vedas say
that the truly liberated wear Atma Jn~Anam as tresses of the hair, indicating that they do not
keep their hair or sacred thread in the Sanyasa Ashrama. This is according to Adhvaita sanyAsi's
code of conduct . The VaishNava sanyAsis keep their tufts and SikhAs . Since Sri Rudran is the
greatest interpreter of Brahma Vidya as Sri Dakshinamoorthy (Brahmadhipathir
Brahamanopathi), He is One of the greatest of sanyasis and acharyas.
The mantra is as follows:
Namah KapardinE cha VyuptakeSaaya cha (4)

The Fifth Mantram

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The fifth mantram praises His ViSwa Roopam. His power as a supreme warrior wielding many
bows in the form of Pranavam, Vedam, Meru Mountain and Pinakam is also praised in this
mantram. The text of this manthram is as follows:
Namas-sahasraakshaaya cha SatadhanvanE cha (5)
By the naamam Sahasraksha, Vedam points out that Sri Rudran has thousands and thousands of
eyes. He witnesses through them all the activities of the humans and living beings. Thus, He
knows about everything under the sun and acts as ViSwa Saakshi.
Satadhanvane namah cha refers to the incident of Tripura Samharam, where Meru Mountain
became His bow and Vishnu became the arrow. This namaskaraNam also reminds one of
another time, where Pranavam became His bow and Saavitri Devi became the cord of such bow.
Lord Rudran places ferocious Asthras (arrows) like Paasupatam on His bow and destroys the
enemies of the world.
The Sixth Manthram
The sixth manthram praises SrI Rudran who is resident in Kailasa Mountain (GiriSaaya cha
namo namah) and who appears in the form of Vishnu Rupa (Sipivishtaaya Namah). Vedam at
one place says Vishnu and Sivan are one through the assertion: Vishnuh Sipi Vishtah. There is
not much space to comment on the deeper meanings of this Sruti passage here . This sixth
mantram relating this thought is as follows:
Namo Girisaaya cha Sipivishtaaya cha (6)
The Seventh Manthram
The above manthram touched on the Rudra and Vishnu aspects of Supreme Brahman. The
subsequent manthram touches on the creative aspects associated with Chathur Mukha Brahma
through the salutation, Namo Meedushtamaaya cha. Meedushtamaa refers to Brahma, who
creates the universe in the role of Hiranya Garbha. One of the Rudra Gayatri manthras found in
Maha Narayana Upanishad shows us the connection between Brahma and Rudra. The passage
of the Upanishad is as follows:
Vedaathmanaaya Vidhmahe Hiranya Garbhaaya dheemahi Tanno Brahma Prachodayaat
The same Maha Narayana Upanishad, which has many passages on Sri Rudran, explains the
identity between Rudra and Brahma in another section even more explicitly as follows:
Kadrudraaya Prachethase Meedushtamaaya Thavyase
Vochema Santhamam Hride
Sarvohyeshha Rudrasthasmai Rudraaya Namo Asthu
The meaning of the above Upanishadic passage is, We sing a hymn to the most praiseworthy,
who creates these universes and who is endowed with the highest knowledge. He rains objects
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to the devotees in abundance. He is the most powerful one who resides in the heart center.
Indeed, all this is Rudra. Salutations be to Rudra who is an embodiment of such glorious
attributes.
The seventh mantram containing reference to Meedushtaman is as follows:
Namo MeeDushtamaaya cheshumate cha (7)
Besides Meedushtaman, the mantram also salutes Sri Rudran as the one who has the most
powerful arrows such as Pasupathasthram through the salutation, Namo Cheshumathe cha.
The salutation for Sri Rudran as Ishumathe cha namah refers to his Divya Asthrams.
The Eighth Mantram
The eighth mantram salutes the Daharakasa Moorthi, who resides in the heart cave as a tiny
presence. He is also saluted as Vaamana Moorthi, the one with small limbs. This mantram
takes the following form:
Namo Hraswaaya cha Vaamanaaya cha (8)
The term Hraswaaya namah refers to the tiny entity in the DaharaakaSam or HrdayakaSa.
The Upanishad testifies that there is none who is smaller than the Paramathma (Athah Param
Naanyadaneeyam Sa Hi Paraathparam) and provides support for the word, Hraswan.
The Ninth Mantram
The next mantram celebrates the Mahadevan or Brahadeeswaran who is immense in magnitude
(Paraathparam Yanmahatho Mahaantham) . This manthram also celebrates His Kalyana
Gunas and offers its salutation to His immensity and virtues. This mantram is as follows:
Namo Brhate cha VarsheeyasE cha (9)
The word, Brhat, besides meaning Brahmandam also means Para Brahmam, which is eternal
and pervasive at all places and times. The word, Vasheeryah, refers to His many auspicious
qualities.
The Tenth Manthram
The tenth manthram praises His ancient nature and His benevolence in giving valued boons.
This manthram is as follows:
Namo vrddhaya cha Samvrdhvane cha (10)
He is called Vrddha, because He is the oldest amongst Gods and, as such, is worshiped by all of
them. He is also worshiped by special stotrams and mantrams such as Sri Rudram. Hence He is
saluted, Namo Samvrdhvane cha.
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The Eleventh Mantram

In the eleventh mantram, He is celebrated as Adhinathan. He is saluted as Agriyaa, i.e, one who
was present before the creation of this universe. He is also saluted as Prathaman, i.e., one who
is the first among all Gods. This mantram is as follows:
Namo Agriyaaya cha Prathamaaya cha (11)
The Twelfth Mantram
Nama Aasave cha ajiraaya cha (12)
is the twelfth mantram of the fifth Anuvakam. His pervasive presence in all things and living
beings of this universe as well as His ability to get anywhere and everywhere is saluted here.
The Thirteenth Mantram
The thirteenth mantram praises Sri Rudran as the one who is in the swift flowing waters as well
as in the calm but huge collection of waters such as a vast lake. This mantram is as follows:
Namas-Seegriyaaya cha Seebhyaaya cha (13)
The Fourteenth Mantram
The fourteenth mantram recognizes Him as being inside the waves of the oceans and as the one
who is in the quiet waters of the pond. This mantram is as follows:
Nama Oormyaaya chaavasvanyaaya cha (14)
The Fifteenth Mantram
The fifteenth and final mantram of this Anuvakam praises further the power of Sri Rudran which
is manifested everywhere in this universe. This mantram is as follows:
Namas-srothasyaaya cha Dweepyaaya cha (15)
The salutation, Namah Srothasyaaya cha, refers to Sri Rudran being in the flow of small
streams. The second salutation, Namah Dweepyaaya cha, refers to His presence in the
confluence of rivers. Where the river splits into two, He is considered to be residing at that spot.
This salutation can also be interpreted to mean that He is the resident of sacred Dweepams such
as Jambhu Dweepam.
The Supreme and the penetrating power of Sri Rudran and His Viswaroopam is celebrated in the
fifth Anuvakam. This Anuvakam has a joint Dhyaana Slokam with the next (sixth) Anuvakam.

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The Sixth Anuvakam

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This chapter has another 15 manthrams. The Dhyaana Slokam is as follows:

Gauri Karaambuja Nyastha Swarna Saila Saraasanam
Ishu Hastam Rathaaroodum Nara Naaree Tanum Smareth
The Ardha Nari Swaroopam of Sri Rudran is saluted here. He is described as Nara Naari Tanu,
with half of His body being male and the other half being female in its attributes. He is seen as
being seated on a chariot. The hand associated with the Ambal part of His body is described as
carrying the Meru Mountain bent as a bow. The Iswaran part of His body is seen carrying a
beautiful arrow to launch from the bow held by Ambal.
The First Manthram
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The first manthram celebrates Him as the scholar who leads everyone in education, wisdom and
scholastic attainments (Namo JyEshtaaya Namah) and the one who is not (Namo Kanishtaaya
Namah). The full manthram combining the salutation to the above polar opposites to illustrate
the Sarva antaryaamitvam of the Lord in one and all is as follows:
Namo Jyeshtaaya cha Kanishtaaya cha (1)
The VaishNava-para commentary would attribute this Sarva antaryAmitvam to the agadita
Gatanaa sakti of Sriman NaarAyaNan as the indweller of SrI Rudran .
The Second Manthram
The second mantram praises the Lord as the one who was present before creation as well as the
one who is present as Samhara Moorthi at the time of Mahaa Pralayam (great deluge). He is
present as HiraNya Garbhaa at the time before creation and as Kalaagni at the time of Mahaa
Pralayam. The mantram is as follows:
Namah Poorvajaaya chaaparajaaya cha (2)
The Third Mantram
The third mantram celebrates Lord Rudran in the form of a youth and a small boy. This
mantram focuses on the period between Creation and Destruction which is the middle period of
Sthithi. This mantram focusing on the middle period is as follows:
Namo Madhyamaaya chaapagalbhaaya cha (3)
Madhyamaa also refers to the middle stage between Saisavam and yuva, i.e., childhood and
adulthood. The namaskaaraNam, Namo apagalbhaaya cha, refers to a little boy before the stage
of Madhayamaa. The form of Bala SubramaNyan can be related to Namo Apagalbhaaya cha.
The Fourth Mantram
The next manthram continues to praise Him as the basis of all objects of this universe. Here, the
mantram salutes Him as having the form of the calf that comes into the world from the rear side
of the cow. Additional salutation is made to Him for existing in the form of the roots of the
trees, which appear at the bottom side of the trees. We are also reminded that He is the root of
mercy sustaining the tree of life. He can also be viewed as the root of the Tree of Vedas. The
fourth mantram containing these thoughts is as follows:
Namo Jaganyaaya cha Bughniyaaya cha (4)
The Fifth Mantram
The fifth mantram celebrates further the thought that He is the indweller of every living thing
and non-living thing in this universe. This mantram is as follows:

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Namassobhyaaya cha Prathisaryaaya cha (5)

Sobha has been interpreted to mean the world of human beings or manushya lokam. The term,
Prathi sarah, has been interpreted by BhasyakAraas in two ways. In the first case, it represents
birds, animals and humans who can transport themselves from place to place. Here, the meaning
is that He is the dweller in such a Jangama Prabancham. The second meaning of Prathisarah
is the sacred thread that is tied on the hands of a bride or bride groom as Raksha Bhandanam at
the time of the wedding. Here, Sri Rudran is said to be present as a protector on those auspicious
occasions.
The Sixth Mantram
The sixth mantram celebrates Him as the resident Lord of Yama Lokam to mete out the
punishment for the sinners (Namo Yaamyaaya cha) and as the resident Lord of Swargam
(heaven) to reward the ones who have earned their places through their good deeds. The full
manthram is as follows:
Namo Yaamyaaya cha kshEmyaaya cha (6)
Other interpretations for the words Yamah and Kshemah have also been suggested by the
commentators. The word Yama refers to the one who appears at the last moment of one's life
(Praana Viyoga Kaalam). The word Kshemah is associated with one, who through blessings,
removes the sufferings of the departing soul and confers the blessings of Moksham. The story of
Markandeya and the Lords intervention as Mrthyunjaya is illustrative of the concepts outlined
by this manthram from a PurANic perspective .
The Seventh Manthram
The seventh manthram salutes Him as being the resident of a fertile field of grains (Nama
Urvayaaya cha) and also as the resident of a barren harvested field (Namah Khalyaaya cha).
The thought here is that He is the Lord of plenty and the opposite of that attribute. This mantram
is as follows:
Namah Urvaryaaya cha Khalyaaya cha (7)
The Eighth Manthram
The next manthram celebrates Him as the one praised by the Veda Manthras in the Karma
Kandam section, and also, as the one whose Swaroopam is attempted to be defined by the
Upanishads, which appear as the concluding section of the Vedas. The inner meaning is that all
portions of the Vedas praise Lord Rudran through their passages of Mantrams (Namah
Slokyaaya cha). The NamaskaraNam, Namah Avasaanyaaya cha, refers to Him not only as the
object of praise by the Upanishads, but also as the supreme force, which is at the side of Jeevans,
during their last moments on this earth. The full mantram takes the following form:
Namah Slokyaaya chaavasaanyaaya cha (8)
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The ninth manthram is as follows:

Namo vanyaaya cha kakshyaaya cha (9)
He is saluted here as the one who is in the form of the trees of the forest as well as the creepers
and little plants in the bushes.
The Tenth Mantram
The tenth mantram celebrates Him as the sound force and its echo. This mantram is as follows:
Namah Sravaaya cha Prathisravaaya cha (10)
Additional meaning given to Sravah is that He is the one who is Loka Prasiddhan, a wellknown entity in this world. The word Pratisravah has been interpreted to mean that He is the
ultimate answer to all the mysteries and questions of life.
The Eleventh Mantram
The eleventh mantram is as follows:
Nama AasushENaaya ChaaSurathaaya cha (11)
Here, His warrior aspect leading an army and His own chariot are celebrated. Asushena means
the one who is at the head of a rapidly moving army and who has the ownership of such a fast
army. Asurathah means one who drives his chariot rapidly in a battle field to destroy swiftly his
enemies or the one who rushes in a fast chariot to respond to the call of his devotees who are in
danger.
The Twelfth Mantram
The twelfth mantram salutes Him as the valorous one (Suran) and as the one who tears asunder
the unrighteous ones (Avabhindathe cha Namah). The full manthram is as follows:
Nama Sooraaya ChaavabhindatE cha (12)
The Thirteenth Mantram
The thirteenth mantram of the sixth Anuvakam salutes Sri Rudran as a warrior again. He is
celebrated as the one wearing the battle armor (varma) and as the one who protects the special
section in a chariot (Ratham) where the driver of the path has to take refuge (varootham) in
times of danger during the battle. This mantram is as follows:
Namo varminE cha varoothine cha (13)
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The term, varootham, has also been interpreted as a beautiful house, denoting His residence in
Kailasa.
The Fourteenth Mantram
The fourteenth mantram:
Namo BilminE cha KavachinE cha (14)
continues to praise the warrior form of Sri Rudran. In the previous mantram, He was worshipped
as Namo varmineh cha. This mantram praises Him as Namo BilminE cha KavachinE cha.
Varma and Kavacham refer to the battle armor that a warrior wears over his body and limbs.
Varma refers to the protection worn from neck to waist and Kavacham refers to the metal shirt
worn as protection from neck to heel.
The Fifteenth Mantram
The fifteenth and the last mantram of the sixth Anuvakam praises Sri Rudran as the one who is
celebrated by the Vedas and also as the one who commands His armies known for their
illustrious valor. The fifteenth mantram is as follows:
Namah Srutaaya cha Sruta-sEnaaya cha (15)
The recitation of the 15 mantrams of the sixth Anuvakam for 11 days without interruption is said
to result in long life, defeat of one's enemies, birth of righteous children and material prosperity.

The Seventh Anuvakam

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This chapter also praises Sri Rudran as the all-powerful force, who is the Sarva Antharyaami of
all living beings. The Dhyaana Slokam for the Anuvakam, which is made up of 16 manthrams,
is as follows:
Jatabhir Lambhamaanaabhir Nrthyantham Abhaya Pradham
Devam Suchismitham Dhyaayeth Vyagra Charma Parishkrutham
(meaning)
We should meditate on Sri Rudran in the form of Nataraja, dancing with His long matted hair.
We should meditate on his Abhaya Hastham, body covered with tiger skin and His smiling
countenance.

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Recitation of this Anuvakam as one Maha Mantram is said to bless one with intelligence, long
life, health, wealth, children and Siva Saayujyam .
The First Mantram
The first mantram celebrates Naadantha Swaroopam. The manthram is as follows:
Namo Dundubhyaaya chaahananyaaya cha (1)
He is saluted as the sound inside the percussion instrument known as Beri Vadhyam. This
salutation is, Namo Dundubhyaaya cha. He is also recognized as the stick, which is used to
beat the skin of Beri Vadhyam to raise the sound. The salutation is, Namo Aahananyaaya
cha.
The Second Mantram
The second mantram praises His prowess in the battlefield. The mantram itself is as follows:
Namo DhrshnavE cha Pramrsaaya cha (2)
The namaskaaram, Dhrshnave Namah pertains to His mighty skills that result in His not
leaving the battlefield without defeating His enemies. His indefatigable stamina and power are
alluded to here.
The salutation, Namo Pramrsaaya, refers to His intimate knowledge about the strength and
weakness of the army of His enemy. This knowledge certainly helps Sri Rudran to defeat His
enemies.
The Third Mantram
The third mantram continues to focus on His knowledge and His helpful nature. The manthram
is as follows:
Namo Dootaaya cha Prahitaaya cha (3)
He is praised as a skillful diplomat and messenger (dootaa) in that He knows very well how to
express His thoughts to others and to analyze other's messages while engaged in negotiations on
behalf of others.
The namaskaaram, Namo Prahithaaya, refers to His help to His devotees, when they ask Him
to perform some service for them. For instance, when Sundara Moorthi Nayanar asked his friend
(mithran), Sri Thyagaraja Peruman of Thiruvarur, to go on a mission to calm down his angry
wife, he went and helped out. Here, Naayanar acted as though he was the master (Yajamaan) of
the Lord of Thiruvarur Temple and the latter obliged his friend.
The Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Mantrams
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The fourth and fifth manthrams praise once again Sri Rudran's sword (Nishangine Namo
Namah), His powerful arrow cage (Ishudhimathe namo namah), His sharp-tipped arrows
(Teeshneshave namah) and His many ferocious weapons (namah Aayudhine cha). The text of
the fourth and fifth manthrams are as follows:
Namo nishangiNE cheshudhimatE cha (4)
NamasteekshneshavE chaayudhinE cha (5)
The sixth mantram also celebrates His special weapon systems and superior bow in the following
way:
Namah Svaayudhaaya cha sudhanvanE cha (6)
The Seventh through Fifteenth Mantrams
From manthras 7 to 15, we come across the varied salutations of Sri Rudra based on His being a
small field path as well as the broad highway, His presence in many forms of water collected in a
small rivulet or a torrent or in a mighty river or in a pond or in a roadside ditch or in a well of
water. He is also recognized as the water inside the clouds of the rainy month or in the clouds of
clear type associated with the autumn season. He is also saluted as the wind that drives those
clouds around. His antaryaamitvam is thus celebrated once again.
The seventh manthram states that He is in the form of the narrow path between fields over which
one has to walk gingerly (Namah Srutyaaya). He is also seen to be present in the form of broad
highways that are easy to travel in (Namah Patyaaya cha).
The whole manthram is as follows:
Namah srutyaaya cha Pathyaaya cha (7)
This mantram could also be interpreted to mean that He can be reached by the highway of
Vaidhika Margam or by the narrow and tortuous Tantric Margam not all of which are sanctioned
by the Vedas.
The next eight mantrams (8 to 15) relate to His presence in different forms of water and the
cloud as well as the wind that aid in producing the water. These mantras are as follows:
Namah KaaDyaaya cha Neepyaaya cha (8)
Namah Soodhyaaya cha Sarasyaaya cha (9)
Namah Naadhyaaya cha VaiSantaaya cha (10)
Namah Koopaaya cha chaavaDyaaya cha (11)
Namo Varshyaaya chaavarshayaaya ya cha (12)
Namo Meghyaaya cha Vidhyutyaaya cha (13)
Namo Idhriyaaya Chaatapyaaya cha (14)
Namo Vaathyaaya cha Reshmiyaaya cha (15)
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These mantrams salute Sri Rudran in all these forms of water, clouds and wind. I will give the
meaning of the 16 namaskaarams contained in the above 8 mantras below:
(1) Namah Kaatyaaya cha means one who is in the small body of water associated with a
narrow canal.
(2) Namah Neepyaaya cha means one who is in the place where the roaring waters of mighty
torrents break. The allusion could be to His gathering the roaring waters of Ganga on His
tresses at the request of Bhagirathas family.
(3) Namah Soodhyaaya cha means one who is present in mud pools.
(4) Namah Sarasyaaya cha means one who is present in the waters of the pond.
(5) Nama Naadhyaaya cha means one who is found in river waters.
(6) Namo VaiSanthaaya Namah means one who is found in the waters gathered in the form of
little ditches.
(7) Namah Koopaaya cha means one who is found in the waters of wells.
(8) Namah Avatyaaya cha means one who is in the waters of big depressions in the landscape.
(9) Namah Varshyaaya cha means one who is present in the rain waters.
(10) Namah Avarshyaaya cha means one who is present in arid air, devoid of rain waters. This
has also been interpreted as one who is in the waters of the ocean, which does not depend
on rain for its existence.
(11) Namo Meghyaaya cha means one who is present in the rainy clouds.
(12) Namo Vidhyutyaaya cha means one who is present in the lightning emanating from the
water-laden cloud.
(13) Namo Idhriyaaya cha means one who is recognized in the spotless white clouds of the
autumn season.
(14) Namo Aatapyaaya cha means one who makes His residence in the warmth of the sun, or
one who is behind the warmth of the sun's rays through His effulgence.
(15) Namo Vaatyaaya cha means one who is the life force of the winds.
(16) Namo Reshmiyaaya cha means one who is present in the torrential rains and winds of
pralayam, when the world ends.

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The Sixteenth Mantram

The final mantram of the seventh Anuvakam is as follows:
Namo Vaastavyaaya cha Vaastupaaya cha (16)
After citing the death and destruction associated with Maha Pralayam in the previous manthram
and frightening us, Sri Rudram calms us down by describing the tranquil aspects of Lord
Maheswara. By the namaskaaram, Namo Vaasthavyaaya, Sri Rudran is recognized as the
indweller of domestic animals such as cows and horses. By the namaskaaram, Namo
Vaasthupaaya, He is recognized as the protector of the land on which one's residence is built.
He is saluted for protecting us from the ravages of earthquake, and the underground water that
can destroy the foundations of the place of residence.
All these 16 manthrams of the seventh Anuvakam are treated as one Maha Manthram. The Rishi
for this Maha Manthram is Romesar; the chandas is Maha Anushtup; the Devathaa is Sri Rudran
Himself.

The Eighth Anuvakam

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The Rudram has 11 Anuvakams in all. After praising the antaryaamithvam and valor of Sri
Rudran in the first 7 Anuvakams, Sri Rudram comes to the heart of the matter (i.e., the Siva
Panchakshari) in the eighth Anuvakam.
This Anuvakam is one of the most sacred sections of Sri Rudram, since it contains the holy
Panchakshari Manthram known as Namah Sivaaya. His supremacy is also pointed out here. His
attributes as the driver of sorrow of Samsaram is also saluted here as Namah Rudraaya cha.
There are 17 manthrams in this Anuvakam. There is no particular Dhyaana slokam for this
Anuvakam.
The First Mantram
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The first mantram salutes Uma Maheswaran who drives all of our sorrows through His blessings.
The mantram is as follows:
Namas-somaaya cha Rudraaya cha (1)
The Svetasvatara Upanishad passage explains the salutation, Namah Rudraaya cha. The
Upanishad explains, Rutham Samsaaradukkham Draavyateethi Rudrah . He is cited here as
the one who can drive away the samsaric ills and sorrows. By the meditation of SrI Rudrran, one
can get the freedom from the oppressive sorrows of Samsaara. His role as the end-maker
(antaka) of sorrows is described in Maha Naraayanopanishad as
Praanaanaam Granthirasi Rudro Maa Visaantakah
tEnaannenaanyaayasva
Namo Rudraaya Vishnaave Mrtyur mE Paahi
Here, an appeal is made to Rudra as the kingpin (binding knot) of the breaths and organs of
senses functioning in the body. The Upanishadic passage beseeches Him to enter the
supplicant's body and stay there as the binding knot of breaths and senses, which support one's
cognition, intellect and emotion. He is asked to enter the devotee's body to drive away his
sorrows and to nourish him with the food consumed as well as to protect him from accidents,
diseases and death.
The other salutation of the first mantram of the Eighth anuvakam is Namah Somaaya cha. Here,
the word Somaa refers to one who is always seen with Uma Devi. It has been hinted that the
anugraha power of Sri Rudran is primarily due to the grace of His consort, Uma. The passage
from Kaivalyopanishad quoted below supports this special power of SrI Rudran, because of the
help of Uma Devi:
Umaasahaayam Paramesvaram Prabhum Trilochanam Neelakantam Prasaantham
Dhyaathvaa Munirgachhati Bhootayonim Samastasaakshin Tamasah Parasthaath
She is known as Adi Parasakthi for that reason. She has been saluted as the one who gives the
blessings of the understanding of Brahma Vidya. It has been stated clearly in the Puranas that
the association with Uma Devi confers Parameswaran the power of giving Siva Saayujyam to the
devotees. The slokam from one of the Puranaas in support of this line of thought is as follows:
Paarvathi Paramaa Devi Brahmavidhyaapradaayinee
tasmaatsaha Tayaa Saktyaa hrudhi Pasayanthi Ye Sivam
tEshaam Saasvatikee Siddhirneterashaamapi Sruti
The Purana Slokam very clearly quotes the Vedas as saying that the blessings of Siva Saayujyam
are conferred by Lord Siva only because of His togetherness with His consort, Paarvathi,
otherwise known as Uma. The word Uma is made up of the variations of Akaram and Makaram
which constitute the Pranava (Om) Sabdham. Hence, Uma is known as the essence of
Pranavam and therefore is called Paraasakthi by Devi Worshippers . Hence, Lord Sivan
affiliated with this Paraasakthi and Brahma Vidyaa Swaroopini draws his Anugraha Sakthi
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from Her. Thus, the salutation Namah Somaaya cha takes special meaning, when looked in this
context.
The second mantram asserts what another section of Vedam preaches as Adhyanthamastam
Yanthamaadithyam abhidhyaayan. This portion of Vedam points out that a devotee can obtain
prosperity and by meditating on Aadityan (Soorya NaarAyaNan) at Dawn and Dusk as the
Supreme Brahman.
The Second Mantram
In the second manthram, the worship of Lord Rudran as the Para Brahmam dwelling inside
Aadithyan at Dawn is described. The second mantram is as follows:
Namastaamraaya chaarunaaya cha (2)
The color of the rising Sun at first is coppery red; after a few minutes, that color mellows to a
finer tint of red known as Arunam. The Rudropanishad passage quoted above indicated that Sri
Rudra's supreme blessings are obtained by meditating on His Antaryaamitvam inside the Sun at
the time of dawn and dusk. Anyone who misses the meditation at dusk and dawn can obtain the
blessings of Lord Rudra during the Arunodhyam period, when He is slightly past the time of
Dawn. This is the message given by the second mantram's salutation, Namah Arunaaya cha.
The Third Manthram
The third manthram is as follows:
NamasSangaaya cha PaSupataye cha (3)
Namah Sangaaya cha and Namah Pasupathaye cha are the two salutations enshrined in this
mantram. By the choice of the word Sangan, Sri Rudram reminds us that He is the one who
gives happiness to all creatures on this earth and beyond.
The Kaivalyopanishad Manthram describes Him as Aadhaaram-aanandamakhaNdabodham
Yasmillayam Yaathi Purathrayancha. He is recognized as the substratum, the indivisible blissconsciousness principle and one in which the three planes of consciousness go into dissolution or
attain Layam. That Pasupathi is the Aachaaryendra, who protects and gives the blessings of
supreme knowledge to His devotees by sitting under the Pupil tree as Dakshinamoorthy. That is
why He, who is the embodiment of pure knowledge and the inner meaning of Pranavam is
saluted as Namah Sangaaya cha and in the following way as Pasupathi (Liberator of the bonds
of Jeevans):
Om Namah Pranavaarthaaya Suddhajn~aikamoorthaye
Nirmalaaya Prasanthaaya Dakshinaamoortaye Namah

The Fourth Manthram

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The fourth manthram of this Anuvakam praises His frightening aspect and His Ugra Kalaas.
Out of fear for Him the wind blows; Bheeshaasmaadutha Pavathe , is the statement of the
Upanishad. His ferocious attributes which strike fear at the heart of His enemies are referred to
here. In His role as Gaja Samhaara Moorthy, Kaala Bhairavan , Tripura Samhaaran, Baka
Nethra Haran (one who pulled out the eye of Suryan, when He offended Him), Kapali (one who
plucked the head of Brahma and used it as his Biksha vessel), His attributes are ferocious to look
at. The Ugra Kalaas that He radiates through these forms and the terror He causes during these
occasions are saluted as follows:
Namah Ugraaya cha Bheemaaya cha (4)
The Fifth Manthram
The fifth manthram praises further His Ugra Svarupam, which is very much evident in
battlefields. This manthram is as follows:
Namo Agrevadhaaya cha dUrEvadhaaya cha (5)
He is recognized as the great warrior, who kills His enemies by confronting them in face-to-face
battle. He is also recognized as the one who destroys the strength and power of His enemies
even before they engage in battle. He saps them of their strength even while He is far. Lord
Krishna explains the power of Sri Rudran to Arjuna in the Santhi Parvam of the Maha
Bharatham as follows:
Yasthu tE sograthe Yaati Yuddhe Sampratyupastite
Tamm Viddhi Rudram Kauntheya
Lord Krishna says, O, Arjuna, as the battle started, there was an effulgence which was moving
in front of you. He was Rudran. You only sent your arrows and thought you destroyed your
enemies with those arrows. He has already killed them. You only hit them afterwards. The
enemies killed by you were already slain by Him. Sri Krishna then continues to praise Sri
Rudran and asks His friend, Arjuna, to worship Sri Umapathi with a pure heart as follows:
Nihataan Tena Vai Purvam Hathavaanasi Vai Ripun
Aprameyaprabhaavam Tamm Devadevam-umaapathim
Bhajasva Prayatho Nithyam Visvesam Haram-avyayam
The Sixth Manthram
The sixth mantram points out that those who insult Him due to their arrogance get punished
severely. This mantram is as follows:
Namo HantrE cha HaneeyasE cha (6)
Here is a description of two examples of those who with their clouded senses take on Sri Rudran
and get straightened out. One example is provided by the great Siva Bhaktha known as Raavana.
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He became very arrogant because of his wealth and the power that he possessed. He forgot that
it was Sri Rudran who blessed him with such riches in the first place. One day, he decided to
shake up the Kailasa Mountain, which is the residence of SrI Rudran. He put his hand under the
mountain and tried to lift it. Sri Rudran pressed His own toe and Ravana's hand was duly
crushed. Ravana was properly humiliated and repented for his misdeed and arrogance. He
prayed to Sri Kailasa Nathan, who took pity on him and released him from his sufferings. The
mighty ego of Ravana was destroyed by Sri Sankara. This aspect of the punishment given by
Him to arrogant ones is saluted as Namo Hanthre cha.
The second example of an arrogant offender was Daksha Prajaapathi, who was the father-in-law
of the Lord. When Dakshan deliberately insulted the Lord of the Universe by withholding the
havis entitled to Him in a yagn~am, Sri Rudran sent Veerabhadran to cut the head of the
offender. Veerabhadran, who was nothing but one hair from the matted locks of Sri Rudran, tore
down the yaaga saala, fouled up the Agni Kuntams, and tortured the assembled Devas and
Rishis who were witnesses to the insults of Dakshan during the yagn~am. This aspect of the
Lord's punishment of the rude and arrogant is saluted by Sri Rudram as Namo Haneeyase cha.
The Seventh Mantram
The seventh manthram salutes Lord Rudran as the one who is in the form of the limitless green
leaves populating the trees. The passage in Rudram compares the dense green colored leaves on
trees (HarikeSah) to the hair tresses on the jatai of Sri Rudran. The mantram containing this
comparison and thought is as follows:
Namo Vrkshebhyo Hari KesebhyO (7)
The leaves are enormous on the trees and they collect the Sun's rays and provide food and
nourishment to the trees. The reference to trees and their leaves is associated with the use of the
leaves of the Palaasam, Vilvam and pupil trees in the Holy Yagn~ams. The reference is also to
the Kalpagaa tree; which is the tree under which Sri Rudran is seated and He resembles the
Kalpagaa tree in fulfilling the wishes of all His devotees. The reference is also to the Tree of the
Vedas, whose leaves are the Devas and Jeevans. Its branches are the Sakaas of the Vedas. Thus,
a comparison of Sri Rudran to a Tree and its green leaves is apt.
The Eighth Mantram
The eighth manthram is a single salutation because of the hoariness of the thought associated
with it. This manthram is as follows:
Namas-taarAya cha (8)
Here, Sri Rudran is worshipped as Pranava Swaroopi or the embodiment of the meaning of
Pranavam. He also helps the Jeevans in crossing Taarayathi (the ocean of samsaaram) and lands
them in Siva Saayujyam. In fact, through His merciful intervention, He confers four kinds of
Mukthis on His devotees. Those who perform Siva Pooja obtain Saaroopya Mukthi. Those
who recite His names to the accompaniment of musical instruments (nama sangeertanam)
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obtain Saameepya Mukthi; those who engage in conversation with Siva Bhakthaas and those
who have friendship with Siva Bhakthaas attain Saalokya Mukthi and those who meditate on
Him, obtain Saayujya Mukthi. Such is His mercy, which gets us across the ocean of samsaara.
When a devotee prays intensely such as Nityaanandaaya Nirmalavijaanavigrahaaya Namah,
Niravadhikarunaaya Namo Niravadhivibhavaaya tEjasErasthu Namah He takes that jeevan
by hand and transports him (taaryathi) across the Maaharnavam of Samsaram. This mantram
indicates that one should worship Sri Rudran for obtaining any one of the above four types of
Mukti.
The Ninth Mantram
The ninth mantram points out that Sri Rudran is the cause behind the pleasures one enjoys both
in this universe and the other. He is recognized as the force behind all the pleasures that a human
being is heir to, when they meditate on Sri Rudran. This mantram is as follows:
Namas-SambhavE cha MayObhavE cha (9)
The naamam, Sambhuh, denotes the one who is the root cause of all the pleasures of this
universe, health, wealth and family. Nothing frightens human beings more than the premature
loss or death of their own kith and kin before their own time. The profound sorrow registered by
human beings when their parents, children or wives die hurts them deeply. The Atharva Veda
Mantram quoted below and the same mantram seen in VajaSaneyi Samhita appeal to Rudra, as
the source-cause of happiness in this world and asks Him not to injure, hurt or take away the
elders, children and relatives:
Maa No Mahaantamuta Maa No Arbhakam
Maa Na Ukshantamuta Maa Nam Ukshitam
Maa No Vadhee Pitharam Motha Maatharam
Priyaa Maa Nastanuvato Rudhra Reerishah
This mantram is also seen in Mahaa Naarayana Upanishad in its 52nd section. The exact
meaning is as follows:
Oh! Rudra, injure not our parents and elders, our children, our child-producing adults capable
of procreation, the fetus we have placed in the mother's womb. Please do not hurt our dear
selves either.
This appeal is made to Rudran in His role as Sambhu.
We come across a similar prayer in Rig Veda. That rk is in the form of a vivid prayer of a
frightened man to Rudra as Sambhu to spare his children and grandchildren, relatives, his cattle,
and horses as well as other worldly possessions. This disconsolate man appeals to Sambhu even
to spare his enemies from Rudra's anger and in return promises to worship the Lord with
oblations and reverence. This same mantham is seen again in Vajasneyi Samhita with a slight
variation. The rk of the Rigveda is also seen in Mahaa Naarayanopanishad and is as follows:
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Maa NastOkE tanaye Maa Na Aayushi

Maa Noh Goshu Maa No aSweshu Reerishah
It is Rudra who rules over death, destruction and samsaric illness. Hence, the term Sambhu is
used in Sri Rudram in the context of its meanings outlined in the Vedic passages referred to
above.
The second half of the ninth manthram of the Eighth Anuvakam is Namah Mayobhave cha.
Here, the reference is to the blisses of Aamushmikaa (other worldly) kind. One who surrenders
himself to Srirudran totally in this world and offers salutations gains the other world due to the
blessings of the Lord. This kind of samarpan is known as svaatmaanam paramesvare ekatvena
(krtham) samarpanam . As a result of this samarpanam, the devotee and sadhakan attains the
qualification for the state of non-return to this earth (na cha punaraavartate) and goes beyond
all sorrow as stated by the Chandogya Upanishad passage, taarati Sokam Aatmavit. He
becomes an Aatmavit, thanks to the blessings of Mayobhavan and becomes, according to the
Mundaka Upanishad, Brahmavit Brahmaiva Bhaasati. Such is the power of the blessings of
Mayobhava due to the anugraham of Moksha-daayaka Mukundhan that connects to the
salutation, Namah MayobhavE cha.
The Tenth Mantram
The tenth manthram elaborates on the meaning of the previous mantram associated with the
earthly pleasures (Iihika Sukham) and the other worldly (Aamushmikaa Sukham). In this
earth, a child receives its protection and pleasures from its parents. The pleasures associated
with the other world comes through the blessings of Aacharya and a proper understanding of the
Saasthraas through the help of the Aacharya. The tenth mantram states that Sri Rudran is present
in the form of parents to assure happiness, nourishment and protection in this universe. The
mantram salutes Sri Rudran in this role as Namassankaraaya cha.
The name Sankaraa denotes one who blesses one with various Mangalams on this earth and
even beyond. Sri Rudran also blesses one with Siva Saayujya Sukham with the role of
Aacharya, symbolized by the Guru Mandala, starting with Dakshina Moorthy Swaroopam. The
Aacharya imparts the true meaning of Saasthraas and helps the disciple to understand Brahma
Vidya . The Lord is known as the Viswaroopa Acharya or the Cosmic Teacher. When He
imparts knowledge directly for attaining the path to Moksham, He is saluted as Namah
MayobhavE cha as in the previous manthram. When he imparts knowledge indirectly through
an Aacharya coming in the Guru Mandalam, then he is saluted as Namah Mayaskaraaya cha.
The importance of Guru Bhakthi and the recognition of one's Guru (Aacharya) as the Lord
himself is underlined in the following passages of the Upanishads and Saasthraas:
Yasya Deve Paraa Bhakthih Yatha Deve tataa Gurau
tasyai tE Kathitaa Hyartaah Prakaasanthe Mahaatmanah
-Swethaswatara Upanishad (6-23)
(meaning)

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A student, who has supreme trust and devotion to the Lord, and the same measure of trust and
devotion in his Guru, to him alone the true meanings of the words of Saasthraas and Vedas will
become clear.
Such a student of the saasthraas and Vedas is known to be one who is srotriyan brahmanishtan,
or one who is well-established in the Brahman. He understands the Vedas and their meanings
because of having such a trust in his Guru as stated by Chandogya Upanishad passage,
Acharyavaan Purusho Veda. The student with this clear understanding becomes tranquil
through the insight gained, meditates, and becomes one with the Absolute thanks to his Guru's
grace, which is the same as the Lord's grace. Mundaka Upanishad explains this phenomenon as
follows:
JnA~na prasaadena Vishuddha-satvastatastu tam
paSayati Nishkalam DhyAyamAnah
The grace of the immediate Aacharya deriving his power from the Cosmic Acharya is saluted
through the Rudram passage of the tenth manthram, Namah Mayaskaraaya cha. While the
ninth manthram referred to the direct blessings of Sri Rudran to attain Sukham in this and the
other earth, the tenth manthram refers to Lord Rudran causing earthly and heavenly Sukham
through others such as parents and Acharya:
Namas-Sankaraya cha Mayaskaraaya cha (10)
The Eleventh Manthram
The eleventh manthram (Ekadasini) is the center piece of Sri Rudram, and it is also the center
gem of the Yajur Vedam. The Yajur Vedam itself is considered one of the most sacred among
the four Vedas. The portion of Sri Rudram found in the middle of Yajur Vedam (Sata
Rudreeyam) is recognized as the most sacred section of the sacred Yajur Vedam. The eleventh
manthram of the eighth chapter is the heart of the sacredness of the Yajur Vedam according to
the following passages:
Adhyaayam Sata Rudreeyam Yajushaam Saaramuttamam
Vidhyaasu Sruthir-uthkrushtaa RudraikaadiSinee Sruto
Tatra Panchaaksharee Tasyaam Siva Ithyaksharadvayam
The above quotations state that the Sri Rudram is the essence of Yajur Vedam and is the most
sacred. In Sri Rudram containing 11 chapters, the Panchakshara Manthram (eleventh manthram
of the 8th chapter) is the most sacred containing the 2 Aksharas that form the word Siva. The
Aagamaas treat the naamam, Siva, as Jeeva Rathnam or the life-giving gem of a principle. The
Panchakshari is Namah Sivaaya or Sivaaya Namah. The eleventh manthram of Sri Rudram is
as follows and serves as the origin of Panchakshari:
Namah Sivaaya cha Sivataraaya cha (11)

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He is recognized elsewhere in the Vedas as the one who causes all auspiciousness, when one
meditates on Him (Siva yEko dhyEyah Sivakarah). He has also been described in the Vedic
passages as the Agni who burns our sins (Paavako Asmabhyam Sivo Bhava) and as the pathway
on this earth to gain Siva Saayujyam (Panthaanassanthu tE Sivaah). This auspiciousnessconferring Lord (Sivakarah) gives the Supreme auspiciousness (Sivatarah) beyond what the
Vedas and other routes can give. Hence, He is recognized as the Supreme among those that
confer auspiciousness and is saluted hence in this mantram through the namaskaraNam, Namah
Sivataraaya cha. This eleventh mantram thus forms the basis of Saiva Siddhaantham due to the
richness of the meanings incorporated in it.
The Twelfth Mantram
The twelfth mantram of this Anuvakam is as follows:
Namas-teerthaaya cha Koolyaaya cha (12)
Sri Rudran is recognized here to be present in the form of the sacred rivers such as the Ganga,
Narmadaa, Godhaavari, Kaaveri, et al. He is also saluted as the one who is seated on the banks
of the above sacred rivers, such as Sri Viswanatha on the bank of the Ganga in Varanaasi.
The Thirteenth Mantram
The thirteenth mantram elaborates on the thought behind the previous mantram by stating that
He is on both banks of the sacred rivers. His Pervasive Presence is hinted at here again. The
thirteenth mantram is as follows:
Namah Paaryaaya chaavaaryaaya cha (13)
Namah Paaryaaya cha refers to Him being on this side of the river; Namah Avaaryaaya cha
refers to Him being on the other side of the river. If He is also of the form of the river and as
one on both banks of the river, we conclude that He is everywhere.
The Fourteenth Mantram
The fourteenth Mantram salutes His mantra and Jn~Ana Swaroopam. This mantram is as
follows:
Namah PrataraNaaya chOuttaraNaaya Cha (14)
Since Panchaakshari Mantram is housed in this Anuvakam, there is no surprise that the
fourteenth manthram praises him as Namah PratharaNaaya cha. He is saluted here as the one
who is in the form of Panchaakshari Manthram and helps to destroy the sins of those who recite
it. The second salutation, Namah Uttaranaaya cha, refers to his Jn~Ana Swaroopam, which on
meditation helps to cross the ocean of samsaaram.

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The Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Manthrams

The fifteenth Namskaaram refers to His anugrahaas to two types of Jeevans, who follow strictly
the rules of the Karma Khandaa of the Vedaas. These Jeevans do not have the Brahma
Jn~Anam, but follow rituals associated with yaagaas and yagnyaas. They do not have the mantra
upadesam and other anugrahams. These Jeevans go to svargam and return after their Punyams
decline to this earth through another birth. Sri Rudram is saluted here with Namah Aataaryaaya
cha to indicate that He blesses those jeevans which return to swim in the ocean of samsaaram.
He is also praised as the Prerakan (protector) for the Jeevans of the earth who perform the rituals
prescribed by Karma Khaandam. He is therefore salutes as Namah Aalaadhyaaya cha. The
meaning of the word Aalaadhyah is described by one of the Bhashyakaraas as follows:
Alam PurNam Yathaa Bhavathi Tathaa Karmaphalamatteeti Alaadah
Jeevah Tatra Bhavah Alaadhyah
The text of the fifteenth manthram is as follows:
Namah Aataaryaaya chaalaadhyaaya cha (15)
Earlier, Sri Rudran was recognized as being in the form of rivers. There is sand at the bottom
and flood on top; there is also young grass on the banks of the river, where Sri Rudran resides.
The next two manthrams recognize Sri Rudran being in the young grass on the banks of the river
(Namah Sashpyaaya cha). He is recognized as being in the froth and foam of the water (Namah
Phenyaaya cha). He is recognized as being in every grain of sand at the bottom of the river
(Namah Sikatyaaya cha); He is recognized as being in the swift moving current of the river as
well (Namah Pravaahyaaya cha). The summation is that He is present everywhere.
These two concluding manthrams of this Anuvakam are as follows:
Namah Sashpyaaya cha phEnyaaya cha (16)
Namassikathyaaya cha Pravaahyaaya cha (17)

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The Ninth Anuvakam

This Anuvakam also celebrates the Viswaantharyaamitvam (Presence in a Cosmic and pervasive
form) of Lord Sri Rudran.
The First and Second Mantrams
The first two mantrams in this context are:
Namah iriNyaaya cha Prapathyaaya cha (1)
Namah Kigumsilaaya cha KshayaNaaya cha (2)
His many residences are praised in these two mantrams. He is saluted as the resident of Ooshara
Bhoomi (Irinam), i.e., He is recognized as a resident of saline land. Irinam can also be
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interpreted as barren or dreary or desert land. By this salutation, it is meant that no place,
however low and undesirable as a place of residence, is unappealing to Him. He is there, too, and
everywhere. The salutation housing this thought is Namah Irinyaaya cha.
The next salutation, Namah Prapathyaaya cha, recognizes Him to be at the pathways, which
are worn out by the travel of people of this universe. People travel often to fertile, non-dreary
places that give them pleasure. This portion of the mantram says that He is at all these desirable
places, as well as in the pathway leading to such places.
The second mantram talks about the stones in the pathway leading to the desert or attractive
lands. The namaskaaram is Namah KigumSilaaya cha. He is spread out everywhere so that
one is not sure about His places of residence (i.e., in pathways and tracks strewn with small
stones or boulders or rock crystals (spatikam)). Rudram says that His pervasive presence in all
roadways (samayaacharaas) cause one to doubt and dispute whether He is here or there. In
actuality, the wise know that He is in every one of the pathways.Salutations to Him who is of the
form of one who lives in dryland (kigumSilaa) and to Him who is of the form of one who lives
in good palces (kshayaNAya cha).
The Third Mantram
The third mantram describes Him as the one with matted hair doing penance and as the one who
appears in front of His devotees with beautiful tresses of hair. This mantram is as follows:
Namah KapardinE cha PulastayE cha (3)
The Fourth and Fifth Mantrams
The next two mantras salute Sri Rudran as a resident in the different sections of a house. The
third and fourth mantrams identifying him with a place of residence and His sections are as
follows:
Namo Goshtyaaya cha Gruhyaaya cha (4)
Namastalpyaaya cha Gehyaaya cha (5)
He is recognized as the one who is in the section of the house where cows are tied (cowshed)
through the salutation (Namo Goshtyaaya cha). He is recognized as the support in cots, where
people sit or sleep through the namaskaarams, Namah Talpyaaya cha. He is seen as the resident
of the upper floor (story) of the house through the salutation, Namah Gehyaaya cha. His
pervasive presence as Vaasthu Purushan in all parts of the house is recognized by the
namaskaram, Namo Grihyaaya cha.
The Sixth Mantram
The sixth mantram explains to us that He is residing in hard-to-reach places such as caves in the
mountains and places abundant with thorny bushes as well as shrubs that are hard to penetrate.
This mantram is as follows:
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Namah KaaDyaaya cha GahvarEshtaaya cha (6)

The reference in Namah Kaatyaaya cha is to the one who resides in lands thick with thorny
underbush and brush which are difficult to cross. His residence in the caves of mountains as a
Raja Yogi in deep meditation is described through the namaskaram, Namah GahvrEshtaya
cha. This same namaskaaram can also be interpreted to mean that He is the resident of the
caves of our heart.
The Seventh Mantram
The seventh mantram recognizes Him as the one who has His seat of residence in deep ponds or
deep trenches of a river bed (Namo Hrdyyaaya cha). He is also seen in the melted water of the
snow (Namo Niveshpyaaya cha). The whole manthram is as follows:
Namo Hrdyyaaya cha Niveshpyaaya cha (7)
The Eighth Mantram
The eighth mantram celebrates Him as the one who is resident in subatomic dust (Renu / debris)
and as the one who is in big places of dust that is visible to the eye. The subatomic dust as a
place of His residence is saluted through Paagumsavyaaya cha. His residence in bigger
particles visible to the eye is recognized through the salutation, Namah Rajasyaaya cha. The
whole manthram is as follows:
Namah Paagumsavyaaya cha Rajasyaaya cha (8)
The Ninth and Tenth Mantrams
The ninth and tenth mantrams continue to pay respects to Sri Rudran's Sarvaantharyaamithvam
in the following way:
Namah Sushkyaaya cha Harithyaaya cha (9)
Namo Lopyaaya cholaapyaaya cha (10)
He is seen according to the above mantras inside dried-up trees, in trees full of life in fallow
land, where even tiny blades of grass do not grow. The correspondence between mantrams of Sri
Rudram and His places of residence is as follows:
Salutation be to Him, who is namah Sushkyaaya cha inside the dried-up trees. Salutation to
the one who populates the green trees full of vitality and life! Namah Harithyaaya cha.
Salutation to Him who is on hard patches of land, where nothing can grow Namah Lopyaaya
cha. Salutation to Him who is in Namah Ulapyaaya cha slender blades!
The Eleventh and Twelfth Manthrams

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The next two manthrams are celebrating His presence in green leaves of the trees, in the dried-up
pile of fallen leaves under the tree, and on the ground that forms a bed for the leaves and on the
river with beautiful waves. These mantrams are as follows:
Namah Oorvyaaya cha soormyaaya cha (11)
Namah Parnyaaya cha parnasadhyaaya cha (12)
His presence in land and water is recognized through the eleventh and the twelfth mantrams. The
respective salutations are as follows:
Namah Oorvyaaya cha Salutations to the one who populates this earth!
Namah Soormyaaya cha Salutations to the one who is in the waters of the river with beautiful
waves!
Namah ParNyaaya cha Salutations to the one who is present as leaves of a living tree!
Namah ParNasadhyaaya cha Salutations to the one who is in the heap of dried leaves, resting
under the tree!
At one stage of penance, the Rishis eat only dried up, fallen leaves as their food. Sri Rudran is
fond of such Rishis for their austerity. Hence, He could be understood as the life-giving food to
those Rishis, who meditate and do penance to get His blessings.
The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Mantrams
The thirteenth and fourteenth mantrams come back to saluting His ferocious aspect, which is
invoked in connection with punishing the unrighteous and sinning human beings. The two
mantrams are as follows:
Namo ApaguramaaNaaya chAbhignate cha (13)
Nama Aakhikhadate cha Prakhikhadathe cha (14)
The four namaskaranams associated with the above two mantrams salute the dushta nigraham
aspects of Sri Rudran. He intimidates the sinners and punishes them in four ways. The form that
frightens them and brings them back to their senses is the one that carries weapons in its hands.
It is saluted as Namo Apaguramaanaya.
The form that uses the weapons to punish the sinners is saluted as Nama Abhignathe cha.
The form that uses the weapons to hurt minimally is saluted as Namah Aakidathe cha. The
form that uses the weapons to cause mighty damage and serious pain is saluted as Namah
Prakidathe cha.

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His four forms representing increased levels of violence befitting the degrees of anger in
response to the magnitude of the sins of sinner are beautiful descriptions of Sri Rudran's
ferocious form.
Abhinava Sankara Bhashyam states that the Dhyaana Slokam for the 31 manthras starting from
the first manthram of the eighth Anuvakam (Namassomaaya cha Rudraaya cha) to the
fourteenth manthram of the ninth Anuvakam is the same Dhyana Slokam that is associated with
the third Anuvakam starting with Rupa Yauvana Sampanna Moorthave Vanadevatha and
ending with Evam Rupo Mahaathejaa Kiraathavapureeshvarah.
Sri Bhatta Bhaskara on the other hand cites another Dhyaana Slokam for the above 31
manthrams. The suggested Dhyana Slokam by him is as follows: Pinaka Paanim Bhoothesam
Udhyat sooryaayudha dhyuthim; Bhoositham Bujagaih Dhyaayeth Kante kaalam
Kapardhinam.
His ferocious aspects are covered in the above Dhyaana Slokam. His lustre is described as
equivalent to the blinding brilliance of tens of thousands of Suns. He is seen as wearing the
mighty bow known as Pinaaka on His hand, and ferocious snakes are seen as ornaments on His
limbs. He is seen in the company of His frightened retinue of Ganas. His matted hair and the
bluish-black patch on His neck due to the drinking of the poison add more fear to the beholder.
The slokam asks the devotee to meditate on the above fearsome form of the Lord to stay away
from sins.
It has been pointed out that extraordinary wealth, kingly position and Moksham could be attained
by reciting the 31 manthrams along with the above Dhyaana Slokam.
The Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eigteenth and Nineteenth Manthrams
The remaining five manthrams of the Ninth Anuvakam praise the activities of the Rudra
Ganaams which punish the sinners on behalf of their Lord. The manthrams are as follows:
Namova KirikebhyO Devaanaagum HrdayebhyaO (15)
Namo ViksheeNakebhyaO Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah (16)
Namo Vichinvathkebhyah Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah (17)
Nama Aanirhathebhyah Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah (18)
Namah Aameevatkebhyah Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah (19)
The common passage in the above manthrams is Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah. This refers to
the Rudra Ganaams that are visible only to the eyes of the Devas and unseeable by us humans.
Although they are invisible to us, these Rudra Ganaas carry out the order of their Lord and
punish the sinners in degrees of cruelty appropriate to the magnitude of their sins. The five
mantrams describe the activities of the Rudra Ganas in this context as follows:
Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah Kirikebhyo Namah Salutations to the Rudra Ganaas visible only
to the Deva' s eyes, who cause harm to the sinners according to their dictates of conscience!

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Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah Visheenakebhyah Namah Salutations to the Rudra Ganaas, who

beat up the sinners and cause pain in many ways!
Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah Vichinvatkebhyah Namah Salutations to the Rudra Ganaas, who
search out those who deserve punishment and those who need blessings based on their paapams
or punyams!
Devaanaagum Hrdhyebhyah Aanirhathebhyah Namah Salutations to the Rudra Ganaas, who
are determined to deliver the right amount of punishment to the sinners in proportion to their
sins!
Devaanaagum Hrdayebhyah Aameevathkebhyah Namah Salutations to the Rudra Ganaas,
who are roaming this universe to attack the sinners by circling over them!
The above five manthrams are considered together as one Maha Manthrams, whose Rishi,
Chandas and Devathaa are Agni, Dhrshtup and Rudran respectively. The Dhyaana Slokam for
these five manthras is as follows:
Viswatah PaaNi Paadam Tam Viswathokshi Siro Mukham
Jwalantham Viswamaavrthya Tejoraaseem Sivam Smareth
(meaning)
Let us meditate on the aspect of Lord Paramasiva who is present in all corners of the universe
with His infinite eyes, hands, legs, heads and faces. Let us meditate on this radiating ball of light
which is occupying every corner of this earth.
The recitation of the above five manthrams is said to assure one immense wealth, scholarship,
Lordship over this earth and enjoyment of many beautiful things . The Rudra Kalpam explains to
us the various Prayogams of these five mantrams to obtain the above blessings.

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The Tenth Anuvakam

From the second to the ninth Anuvakam, Sri Parameswaran was saluted by Sri Rudram. In the
tenth Anuvakam, an appeal is made to Him and He is asked to bless the devotees and not to harm
them. Most of the mantrams of the tenth anuvakam have their own Dhyaana slokams.
The First Mantram
Here Lord Rudran is addressed by four of his names Drape, Andhasaspathe, Daridrat, and
Neela Lohita, and then an appeal is made to him not to hurt the son or grandson, as well as the
cattle and other property. The first manthram is as follows:
DraapE andhasaspatE Daridranneelalohita
Yeshaam PurushaaNaameshaam PaSoonaam
MabhErmaaro mO Yeshaam Kimchanaamamath (1)
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(meaning)
Draape

(O Lord, who orders the right punishment to the sinners to make them
regret their misdeeds),

AndhasaspatE

(O Lord, who is the master of all the foods of this universe and who
provides food to all living beings),

Daridran

(O Lord who is devoid of any attachments),

Neelalohitha

(O Lord who has a bluish black throat),

Please do not frighten either the members of my family or my cattle and domestic animals by
showing Your ferocious form or intimidating weapons! Please do not destroy any one of them
and keep them away from death! Let them not be subject to any disease!
After saluting Sri Rudran by four of his Divya Naamams, appeal is made to spare the kith and
kin as well as property from any expressions of anger. The sambhodhanam, Neelalohita, can
also be interpreted to mean Ardha Nareeswara with half of the body being black (Uma) and the
other half being red (Rudra). This Uma Maheswara Ardha Naree Swaroopam is the object of
prayer here, since such a swaroopam blessed by the presence of the compassionate Uma Devi is
bound to win the requested blessings.
This mantram has the following beautiful Dhyaana slokam which visualizes the beautiful
Bhairavan with His Consort, Parvathi:
Aagulphaasitha Kanchuko Damarukaaslishto lasath Kundalee
Sooli Kundalitasravaah Satilako Manjukkvanan noopurah
Sriman Nirmala Dantha pankti kiraNah Svetaaya Manano
Devo Bhairava Vesha Bhooshitha Tanuh Dhyeyo Mrdhaneepathih
(meaning): He has a black shirt down to his ankles. He has a small drum (Damarukam) in one
hand, a trident in the other. He has beautiful ornaments (kundalams) hanging from His ears.
He has a very pretty vermillion mark (tilakam) on His forehead. His feet are adorned with the
pleasant sounding ankle ornaments (Noopurams). His teeth have the most beautiful white lustre
of Suddha Vidya. His face is white like the full moon of the autumn season. Half of His body is
adorned by Parvathi Devi. Let us meditate on Lord Bhairava with the above attributes.
It has been stated that the recitation of the above manthra for 10,000 times after fasting for a day
would confer freedom from all kinds of fears and fevers. One is also sure to attain wealth and
see the Holy Form of Bhairava Moorthy according to the Kalpam.
The Second Mantram

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This mantram prays to the auspicious (Siva) form of Rudran to remove all sorrows caused by
illness and poverty. Appeal is also made to obtain the blessings of Moksham. This mantram is
as follows:

Yaa tE Rudra Sivaa tanooh Sivaa Viswaaha bhEshajee

Sivaa Rudrasya bheshajee tayaa no mrda jeevasE (2)
In this manthram, the Siva or the most auspicious aspect of Rudran is praised for conferring the
following two kinds of blessings:
(1) Removal of the diseases of the body and mind and the removal of poverty during ones life
on this earth;
(2) Conferral of Atma Jn~Anam to overcome the cycles of birth and death and thereby attain SrI
VaikunTham .
Sri Rudran is equated in this mantram to a powerful doctor, who cures the illnesses of physical
and mental origin and makes us enjoy the blessings of life on this world and the other.
His auspicious body (Sivaa Tanoo) is considered to take two forms to serve as two kinds of
doctors to cure the above two types of illnesses and diseases. One form is saluted as Viswaaha
bhEshaji and the other Rudrasya bhEshaji. In the doctor's role fitting the description of
Viswaaha bhEshaji, all the physical diseases, economic illnesses are cured by this Sowmya
Moorthi. In the other role described as Rudrasya bhEshaji, He drives away the sorrows of
Samsara and gives knowledge (Brahma Jn~Anam) and confers His blessings to attain Siva
Sayujyam. This moving prayer asking Sri Rudran for His blessings to enjoy health and
happiness in this life is an example of Vedam's deep interest in the pleasures of the world by us.
Many times, those who are superficially acquainted with Vedam and its messages believe that it
is too much obsessed with morose broodings on exercises in self-denial and abstract
otherworldly matters.
In this Manthram, we meet the word Sivaa three times. The Anvaya Kramam involving the
usage of the word Sivaa three times is as follows:
Rudra! Viswaaha bhEshajee Sivaa Sivaa Yaa tE tanooh
Rudrasya bhEshajee Sivaa Tayaa nah jeevase mrdah
(meaning)
Oh, Rudra, your auspicious body which is known as sivaa that cures at all times every illness
and affliction such as poverty, disease, et al, let that benefit-conferring, boon-giving body of
immense auspiciousness grant us freedom from cycles of birth and death. Let it make our life on
this earth a most pleasurable experience as well, marked by freedom from sufferings such as
diseases and poverty.

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The chandas for this Manthram is Anushtup. The Rishi and Devathaa are Sri Parameswaran in
the form of Sri Subrahmanyan. The Dhyaana Slokam is as follows:
Dhrutha chameekara prakyam Sakthipaaneem Shadhananam
Mayura Vaahanaaroodham Skandha Roopam Sivam Smareth
Here, Sri Rudran is visualized in the form of Lord Subramanyan with the Sakthi (a type of spear)
weapon in his hand and seated on his vahanam (carriage) of a Peacock. He is seen with six faces
(Shadananam) and His lustre as the Devata of this Manthram is equated to that of molten gold.
It has been pointed out that the recitation of this Manthram for 5,000 times after 108
Pranayamams will yield the boons of excellent health, wealth and progeny.
The Third Mantram
The third mantram offers Siva pooja with Dhyaana and other prescribed steps. In return, the
mantram asks for His blessings to protect the family, cattle and fellow residents of the village
from poverty and illness. The second mantram was a prayer aimed at the individual level asking
for the blessings of personal prosperity and moksham. The third mantram broadens the appeal
base and includes the residents and other Jiva Raasis on whom the residents of the village depend
upon for their prosperity and well being.
Sri Maheswaran is addressed in this third mantram as TavasE, KapardinE, Kshayadveeraya and
Rudraya Prabharaamahe.
The full text of the manthram is as follows:
Imaagum Rudraaya TavasE KapardinE
Kshayadveeraaya Prabharaamahe Matim
Yathaa Nah Samasadvipade chatushpade
Viswam Pushtam GraamE Asminnanaathuram (3)
Through the four sambhodanams, TavasE, KapardinE, Kshayadveeraya and Rudraya, Sri
Rudran is recognized as the most potent force that can confer every kind of auspiciousness on
every living being from men to animals.
Rudra's mighty power to confer any blessing that one seeks is recognized through the salutation
Tavase Rudraaya Imam Mathim Prabharaamahe. His power and strength is recognized
through the term Tavase.
A PurAnic verse states that the recitation of Sri Rudram by anyone, be he in a village or city,
will chase away diseases and poverty from every resident in the community. Such a Rudram
recitation is also said to remove the fear from thieves, since Sri Rudran is known as the Lord of
the Thieves of all kinds.

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The Bhatta Bhaskara and Sayana Bhasyams interpret TavasE as the mighty one having unique
powers to remove all ills. The Abhinava Sankara Bhasyam on the other hand interprets TavasE
to mean TapasE and explains that this namaskaram refers to Sri Rudra's Jn~Ana Sakthi based on
His immense power arising from his penances.
The namaskaram KapardinE can mean literally the one with matted hair or symbolically the one
who can accomplish things, which are beyond the powers of others. The quotation associated
with this namaskaram to illustrate His prowess is as revealed from the act of receiving the
roaring Ganga Pravaham in His matted hair and preventing it from destroying the world with its
force.
The namaskaram Kshayadveeraya refers to the fact that there is no one who is comparable to
Him regarding his valor. The mantram's first half states Tavase Kapardine Kshyadveeraya
Rudraaya Imam Mathim Prabharaamahe. Manasika Pooja and Dhyaanam to this mighty
Rudra is offered through the above passage. The second half, Yata Nah Samasadvipade
chathushpade Viswam Pushtam Graame Asminnananaanuthuram, states that the Siva pooja
is being done in the prescribed manner to assure Sri Rudra's blessings on the people, animals and
all the creatures of the village so that they could be free from disease and become strong and
possess vitality.
The Fourth Manthram
The fourth manthram prays to SrI Rudran to bless the people with the same boons that Manu got
and thereby enjoyed the material wealth in boththe worlds . This thought is expressed in the
second half of this manthram as Pithaa Manuh Yath Sam cha Yosccha Tava PraNeethau
Aayaje Tath Rudra Asyaam in prose order (anvayakramam) .
The first half of the mantram requests material wealth, freedom from want and release from the
cycle of birth and death. The second half reminds Sri Rudran that the request for the wealth on
this earth and release from samsaric sufferings are the same blessings that he conferred on Manu
Prajaapathi, who is the father of human beings in that he wrote the Dharma Saastraas and the
codes of conduct for the human beings. The whole mantram is as follows:
Mrdano Rudrotha nO Mayaskrdhi Kshayadveeraaya namasaa Vidhema tE
Yaccham cha Yosccha ManuraayajE Pitaa tadaSyaama Tava Rudra PraNeethau (4)
The first half the manthram has three subprayers built in as an integrated prayer. They are as
follows:
Rudra Na Mrdah (Oh! Rudra! Please bless us with whatever we need to make our lives
comfortable!)
Ota Nah Mayah Krudhi (Further, please confer on us Siva Saayujya Sukham after our lives on
this earth are over!)

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Kshayadveeraaya tE namasaa Vidhema (For You who destroy all of our powerful sins on sight,
we offer our profound salutations!)
The third and the fourth manthram of the Tenth Anuvakam have the same Dhyaana Slokam. The
Rishi, Chandas and Devathaa for the two manthras are Markandeyar, Jagathi and Sri Rudran.
The Dhyaana Slokam is as follows:
Divya Simhaasanaaseenam StUyamaanam Maharishibihi
Prasanna Vadhanam Dhyaayeth Somam Somaardha Sekharam
The meaning of this slokam is We should meditate on Sri Rudran accompanied by Parvathi
Devi, while we visualize Him as being seated on His beautiful Lion Throne with the half-moon
on His coiffure and listening to the stOtrams of the great sages. The recitation of this third and
fourth mantram assures the safety of cattle and birds.
The Fifth Manthram
This mantram begs Sri Rudran not to hurt the elderly, children and youth of the family. It further
appeals to Him not to harm the child in the form of embryo or the mother or the father or the
person who is praying for the above boons.
This mantram is as follows:
Maano Mahaantamuta maa nO arbakam Maa na Ukshanta muta Maa na Ukshitam
Maa noavadhih Pitaram mota Maataram Priyaa Maa nastanuvo Rudra reerishah (5)
The two requests are Maa Na Reerishih, Maa Na Avadhih Nah Ukshitham (Mahantham,
Arbhakam, Akshantham). Maa Reerishih is the first set of prayers, where the request is made
not to harm the embryo, elderly, children and youth through diseases. The second prayer is Nah
Pitharam (Matharam, Priyah Thanuvah) Maa Avadhi. This relates to the request not to cause
concern to the mothers, parents and the supplicants through Sri Rudran's anger.
The Rishi, Chandas and Devathaa for this manthram are Brghu, Jagadhi and Sri Rudran in the
form of Sri Nandikeswaran.
The Dhyaana Slokam meditates on the form of Sri Rudran with the young crescent moon on His
hair, with the retinue of Ganaas and shining like a rising sun and having the roopam of
Nandikeswaran.
The Dhyaana Slokam itself is as follows:
Balendu Makutam Devam Tarunaadhitya Vigraham
Dhyayennandheeswaraakaaram GanESwara Samaavrutham
The recitation of this mantram is said to confer tranquility and peace of mind for all family
members.
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The Sixth Mantram

This mantram has Sri Rudran as Rishi and Devathaa; its Chandas is Jagadhi. This mantram deals
with Sri Rudran, who has split His body into 11 forms known as Ekaadasa Rudraas. These
forms are worshiped in the Baisaak Temple on top of Aagung mountain in the island of Baali.
The Dhyaana Slokam for this manthram is:
Dadhaanam Ekaadasathaa Vibhajya deham Visuddha Spatika Prakaasam
tEjomayam Soolinam Indumaulim Vichintayetadhtya Sadhaiva Rudram
(meaning) : We should meditate on the form of Rudra, which has the lustre of pure crystal with a
trident in its hand, with the digit of the moon on its hair and which has split itself into 11
subdivisions.
The recitation of this mantram is said to confer the richness fit for a king, success in business,
gambling and the destruction of all sins.
The sixth mantram's text is as follows:
MaanastOkE tanaye Maa na Aayushi Maa no Goshu Maa no aSweshu Reerishah
Veeranmaa no Rudra bhamitO avadheerhavishmantO namasa VidhEma tE (6)
Here, the supplicant offers Saru, Purodaasam as havis in yaagaas to Lord Siva and in return asks
Him not to hurt the children, youth or themselves through premature death. The supplicant also
appeals to the Lord not to harm the servants or cattle (cow and horses) for any lapses in
observances such as the offering of havis to Him.
The Seventh Manthram
This manthram has Adhri as the Rishi, Dhrushtub as Chandas and Sambhu as Devathaa. The
recitation of this manthram is said to result in a long life and material prosperity to the reciter.
The Dhyaana Slokam is as follows:
KurvaNam sannidhau Devyaa Devam Aanandataandavam
Huthaasanadharam Dhyayeth tapta Kaanchana Sannibham
Here, He is visualized as the dancing Nataraja in front of Sivakama Sundari, with a lustre similar
to molten gold. Agni is also seen on one of the hands of the Lord performing the happy Cosmic
dance.
The text of the seventh mantram is as follows:
AaraattE gogna uta PoorushagnE Kshayadveeraaya sumnamasmE tE astu
Rakshaa cha no adhi cha deva Broohayataa cha nah sarma yaccha DhviBarhaah (7)
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Here, the mantram reminds one of the ferocious aspect of Lord Rudran with the names Gogna
and Poorushagna, which refer to His samhara activities, when it comes to killing cows, sons,
grandsons and warriors in the battlefield. The mantram appeals to Sri Rudran of such frightening
potential to suppress such destructive tendencies and to be near the supplicant in His nonferocious, sowmyaa form ( tE Sumnam Aarath Asthu). It also appeals to Sri Rudran to be near
in His merciful form and to protect the supplicant and his family as well as their material
possessions.
This mantram asks Him to intercede on behalf of the supplicants if any devas complain about the
qualifications of the supplicants for being saved. It asks Sri Rudran to take their sides (Deva
Adhi Broohi). The mantram praises Sri Rudran as Dvibarhaa (i.e., the one who can confer both
happiness on this earth and moksha sukham in the other). The supplicant prays through this
mantram, (Nah Sarma Yaccha) to Sri Rudran to confer Eihika and Aamushmika (this and
other worldly) sukhams.
The Eighth Mantram
Through this mantram, appeal is made to the various indriyams or the organs of speech of
human beings. The faculty of speech is asked to praise the famous indweller of the heart cavity,
as the one with eternal youth, as the one who destroys the unrighteous people, as the one of
ferocious spirit like an angry lion, and as the one who cannot be defeated by anyone. After
appealing to the supplicant's speech faculty, the mantram acts as an honest broker and appeals to
Sri Rudran to accept the stOtrams and to maintain the bodies of the supplicants without diseases.
It also asks Sri Rudran to deflect the power of His ferocious army away from the supplicants and
towards the enemies of the supplicants. The enemies here are the sins of the supplicants. The
mantram asks Sri Rudran to spare the supplicants, while destroying their sins. The appeal is here
to Tam Eeaswaranam Paramam Maheswaram, the supreme among Gods known as
Maheswaran.
The Rishi for the Manthram is Vyagrari; the Chandas is Dhrstup; the Devathaa is Sri Rudran.
The Dhyaana Slokam is as follows:
Udhyat Bhaskara Koti Prakaasam Aakasagam Bheemam
Bheethignam Abahya Varadham Dhyayeth Rudram Surau Dhanutam
(meaning)
Let us meditate on Sri Rudran, who has the lustre of crores of the Sun at Dawn, who resides in
the sky, who removes the fears of those that seek His protection, who has both Abhaya and
Varada Mudras in His hands, and who is worshiped by the band of Devas. The benefit
associated with this mantram is the destruction of one's internal and external enemies.
The word Bheemam seen in the Dhyaana Slokam is an echo of the phrase found in the eighth
mantram. The text of the eighth mantram is as follows:

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Stuhi Srutham Gardha Sadham Yuvaanam Mrgam

Na Bheemam-upahatnum-ugram
MrDaa JaritrE Rudra stavaanO Anyante
asmannivapanthu Senaah (8)
The word Akaasagam in the Dhyaana Slokam refers as well to His residence in the
Daharaakasam or the Cave of the heart referred to in the mantram as Gardha Sadham. His
ferocious form that frightens one is saluted by the Dhyaana Slokam as Bheedhignam, which is an
echo of Mrgam na Bheemam ugram seen in the text of the eighth mantram.
The Ninth Mantram
This mantram has the chandas of Dhrshtup; the Rishi and Devathaa are Parameswaran Himself.
The Dhyaana Slokam relates to the ferocious aspect of Sri Rudran by making reference to His
destruction of Gajaasuran and wearing the skin of Gajaasuran as His dress. The mantra japam is
said to confer the boon of children that follow the righteous path. The Dhyaana Slokam is as
follows:
Gaga charmaavrutha tanum spurath praharanojwalam
Sarva Paapaharam Dhyayeth Devam Kunjara bhedinam
(meaning)
Let us meditate on the valorous form of SrI Rudan who killed the Demon who took the form of an
elephant. Let us meditate on this Gaja Samhaara Moorthi, who is wearing the skin of the slain
elephant as His dress; let us meditate on the form of Gaja Samhaara Moorthi, who is wearing
shining weapons in His hands and destroys all of our sins.
The Dhyaana slokam has many echoes of the thoughts contained in the ninth manthram, which
has the following text:
Parinoh Rudrasya Hethirvrnaktu Pari tvEshasya Durmathiragaayoh
avasthiraa Magavadhbhyastanushva MeedhavastOkaaya tanayaaya Mrudaya (9)
We mentioned earlier that the benefit of the recitation of this mantram is the acquisition of
blessing for the sons, who follow the Dharmic path. The last section of the Mantram hints at it
by explicitly praying to Sri Rudran to protect the children (tOkaaya mrudyaya) in general and
the sons (Tanayaaya Mrudaya) in particular and to bless them to pursue the righteous path. The
mantram hints why Sri Rudram should offer such a blessing. It says Meedhvah (Tava Hetih)
Sthiraah Magadhbhyah Avathanupva. Meedhva is a term that salutes SrI Rudran as the one
who blesses all His devotees with whatever they wish to have. The mantram states that Your
weapons are matchless and never fail to destroy, when set in motion. Therefore, the mantram
appeals to Sri Rudran not to use these unfailing weapons at the devotees, who praise Him and
perform pujaas to Him. Please confer the sukham of following the righteous path to the sons of
devotees, who praise you and worship you sincerely, is the request of this mantram addressed to
Sri Rudran.
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The first section of the mantram recognizes the angry form of Sri Rudran and appeals to Him to
give up the thought of hurting the devotees even by accident. It asks Sri Rudran not to hit the
devotees with His shining weapon and to banish any harmful thoughts from His mind towards
His devotees, who pray to Him. The first half states Parinoh Rudrasya Hethirvrnakthu
(Rudrasya Heti Nah Parivrnakthu). It appeals for the weapons of Sri Rudran to stay away from
the devotees as its targets. Then, the mantram continues to appeal to Sri Rudran to shed any ill
thoughts that He may harbor regarding His devotees, because it is His nature to be angry at
sinners, who have trespassed His injunctions and commandments. This portion of the mantram
is Paritveshasya Durmathiragaayoh (Agaayoh Pari tveshasya Durmathih Parivrnakthu).
The state of angry Rudran, who flashes up at the sight of sinners (Agaayoh), as bristling on four
sides with His anger (Pari tveshasya) and ready to harbor thoughts of destruction. The mantram
begs Him not to harbor any ill will towards His devotees.
The Tenth Manthram
This mantram has the Rishi of Vairajar, Chandas of Dhrshtup and Devathaa of Sambhu. This
mantram's recitation frees one from fears of death, thieves and the anger of the king or
government. The Dhyaana Slokam celebrates Sri Rudran in the form of a youthful hunter
wearing the bow named Pinakam in His hands. The Dhyaana slokam is as follows:
Mangalaayatanum Devam Youvaanamati Sundaram
Dhyayeth Vana charaakaavamagacchanantam Pinakinam
This slokam describes Sri Rudran as the most handsome youth, who is the embodiment of all
auspiciousness traveling in the forest with His bow named PinAkam .
The tenth mantram itself is as follows:
Meedhushtama Sivatama Sivo Nah Sumanaa bhava
Parame Vrksha Aayudham Nidhaaya Krittim vasaana
aachara Pinaakam Bibradhagahi (10)
In this manthram, Lord Rudran is saluted as Meedushtama and Sivatama. His attribute of
showering the desired boons on His devotees is saluted as Meedushtama. His attribute to confer
all auspicious boons is saluted as Sivatama. The Rishi (supplicant) through this mantram is
asking Sri Rudran to be kind and gentle to the devotees. The prayer is, Na Siva Sumanaa
bhava. Let thou be the boon-giving, well-wisher of ours, is the essence of the prayer.
The Rishi asks Sri Rudran to hide His weapons, such as the knife, trident, et al, in the giant
peepal tree growing in Kailasam and to appear before the devotees clad in tiger's skin (kritthim
vasaanah) and holding the Pinakam (bow) as an object of decoration as opposed to terror.
Sri Dakshinaamoorthi is described by the Puranas as being seated under the peepal tree with
chin-mudra (the symbol of knowledge in his hand) and without any weapons. Sri Sankaracharya
describes this Jn~Ana Moorthy imparting knowledge through His silence (Mauna Vyaka
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Prakatita Para Brahma Tatvam) and with his chin-mudra (Achaaryendram Karakalita
Chitmudramaanntharupam) as follows:
Vatavitapi-sameepe Bhumibhaage Nishannaa
Sakalamrthichanaanaam Jaanadaathaaramaaraath
Sri Rudran is supposed to be seated under the golden peepal tree (Vatavitapi), which is nothing
but Maha Vishnu. Sri Rudran is asked by this manthra to hide His weapons in that tree and come
before the devotees in his Sowmyaa and Jn~Ana Moorthi form. In this form, the fierce Pinakam
takes the shape of a veena seen in the hands of Dakshinaa Moorthi. This mantram prays to the
Mangala Moorthi of Parameswaran in the form of Dakshinaamoorthi.
The Eleventh and Twelfth Manthrams
This manthram and the next one still focus on the frightening qualities of Sri Rudran's weapons
and their awesome powers; the two mantrams ask Sri Rudran to keep the weapons pointed at the
enemies of the devoteesboth internal and externalor at least pointed away from the direction
of the devotees.
The two mantrams are as follows:
Vikaridha Vilohitha NamastE Asthu Bhagawah
YaastE Sahasragum hEtayOnyamasminnivapantu taah (11)
SahasraaNi Sahasradhaa Baahuvostava hetayah
TaasaameeSaano Bhagavah Paraacheenaa Mukaa kridhih (12)
Each of the manthras has its own Rishis, chandas and Devathaas. For instance, the eleventh
manthram has Pulasthyar as Rishi, Dhrshtup as Chandas and Sambhu as Devathaa. The Dhyaana
Slokams are also different for each of the manthras. The eleventh mantram meditates on the
calm, happy and beautiful Sri Rudran in the dress of a bridegroom and surrounded by the retinue
of Devas.
The slokam is as follows:
Prasanna vadhanam saantham charitotvahamandanam
Ambhaya sahitam dhyayeth sura sangairabhishtutam
He is seen here with Parvathi Devi in the marriage garb and His mood is one of happy
celebration. Hurting anyone with His ferocious weapons is far from His thoughts. The eleventh
mantram appropriately prays to Umaa Maheswaran and states tE Yaah Sahasra hEtayah Taah
Asmaath Anyam Nivapanthu, i.e., let Your thousands of destructive weapons hit our
accumulated sins, which are our enemies and spare us in the process. For that welcome act of
yours (Vikaridha! Vilohitha! Bhagavah! tE Namah Asthu), Oh Lord, our namaskaraNams are
to you. The three sambhodanams (Vikaridha, Vilohitha, and Bhagavah) are complimentary
salutations. By Vikaridha, the mantram recognizes Sri Rudran's capabilities to destroy sins,
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diseases and poverty. By Vilohitha, it refers to the white (spatika sankasam) lustre of His body.
By the term Bhagava, the mantram pays compliment to His six celebrated attributes such as
Balam, Tejas, Aiswaryam, et al.
The japam of the eleventh manthram is said to create communal harmony, cooperation and
freedom from fear for the community.
The Dhyaana slokam for the twelfth manthram celebrates Sri Rudran as the Lord, adorned with
all kinds of beautiful jewelry and weapons. In this form, He is recognized as the cause of
destruction of all sins of the devotees. The Dhyaana Slokam is as follows:
Sarva paapaharam Devam, sarvaabharana bhooshitam
Sarvaayudha dharam dhyayeth Sarvaloka Maheswaram
The Anvayakramam (prose order) for the twelfth manthram is as follows:
Bhagavah Tava Baahavoh Sahasraani hethayah Sahasradhaa
Ishaavah Taasaam Mukhvaah Paraacheenaa Krdhi
Oh, Lord, in both of your hands, there are thousands of weapons bristling in thousands of ways
and poised for hitting our targets. You, who is all powerful (Eesaanah) should aim their tips
away from us and send them in other directions. Please do not direct them at us and thereby
spare us.
The recitation of the twelfth mantram of the tenth anuvakam with its Dhyaana Sloka will protect
the reciter from all kinds of disasters for which one is least prepared.

The Eleventh and Final Anuvakam of Sri Rudram

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In the tenth Anuvakam, appeals were made directly to Sri Rudran. In the eleventh Anuvakam,
appeals are made to his Amsa Bhoothas, viz., the thousands of Rudra Ganaas, which execute His
orders. The Vedas and Puranas praise the Ganaas of Sri Rudran as the ones that punish or
reward the human beings in proportion to their sins or good deeds.
There are thirteen manthras in the eleventh Anuvakam. There are three Dhyaana Slokams
associated with these thirteen manthras.
The First Manthram
Sahasraani SahasraSO yE Rudra adhi bhoomyaam
tEshagum Sahasra yojane avadhanvaani tanmasi (1)

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Above is the text of the first manthram, which praises the thousands of Rudra Ganaas, who roam
this universe at the behest of Sri Rudran to recognize and react to the good as well as the bad
deeds of the humans. They are described as Lords of the universes by the delegated power of Sri
Rudran in this manthram (Bhoomyaam Adhi).
Through the prayer embodied by this manthra, a statement is made that the cords of the bow
(bow strings) of these Rudra Ganaas have been left untied and the bows in such a status are left
thousands of miles away from the worshippers of Sri Rudran. This manthram asks for the
removal of fear based on the thought that the bows of the Rudra Ganaas might be used against
the worshipers. The manthram asks the Rudra Ganaas to untie the bow strings of their bows,
throw them away in the blue yonder and then approach the devotees of Sri Rudran in a pacific
manner.
The distancing between the ferocious bows of Rudra Ganas and the Jeevans is described by the
following passage of the first manthram, which will appear repeatedly in the text of manthrams
of the eleventh Anuvakam up to the ninth manthram:
tEeshagum sahasra yojanE avadhanvaani tanmasi
The positioning of the bows in their operative states out of harm's way is a concept that is
comforting and therefore, it is repeated in all of the nine mantrams of the eleventh anuvakam,
starting from the first one.
In the previous anuvakas, Sri Rudran Himself was saluted so He can be kind to the devotees. In
this Anuvakam, the manifested forces of His aspects, the Rudra Ganaas, are being praised so that
they can be kind to the devotees in their roles as judges of human deeds, good as well as bad.
The spirit of the eleventh Anuvakam finds its echo in the following Atharva Vedaa verse:
Bhavaasharvaavidham Brahmo Rudram Pasupathischa Yah
Ishuryaa Eshaam samvidha Tha Nah Santhu Sadhaa Sivaah
(meaning) : Let us praise the different features of God, as Bhavaa, Sharvaa, Rudraa and the
Lord of the Souls. May we understand the forces of these aspects! May they be ever kind and
auspicious to us. (Atharva Veda XI, Hymn VI, Verse 9).
The reference to the many Rudras also is made once again in another verse of Atharva Vedam.
Here, the Creator (Sri Rudran) is asked to protect the devotee through the Rudras (Rudra Ganaas)
from the southerly direction and from the right side. The Atharva Veda verse from XIX Kanda
is as follows:
Somo Ma Rudraidakshinaaya Disaah Paathu Thasminkrame
Thasminurye Thaam Puram Praimi
Sa Maa Rakshatu Saa Maa
Gopaayathu Thasmaa Aathmaanam Pati Dhadhe Svaahaa

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In this verse, the devotee states that he is just stepping unto the creator and is taking refuge under
Him. He says that he is approaching the Creator like one approaches a well-guarded residential
city. He asks for the Lord's protection and refuge. He states that he is entrusting himself
completely to the Lord and surrenders to Him as a humble offering at a sacrifice.
Every residential city that is well-protected has a Lord Mayor and his police force. If Sri Rudran
is the Lord, His police force consists of Rudra Ganaas who maintain law and order. They punish
the wicked and protect the virtuous. The implication of the above Atharva Vedic verse is very
similar to the prayers contained in the thirteen mantrams of the eleventh Anuvakam of Sri
Rudram.
The Second Mantram
Asmin mahatyarNava-antarikshe bhavaa adhi
(tEeshagum sahasra yojane-avadanvaani tanmasi) (2)
The above passage forms the text of the second mantram. Here, salutation is made to the
countless Rudras (Rudra Ganaas) who populate the vast surfaces of the oceans and sky. They
are rendered free of their powerful bows through the recitation of this mantram. The reciters
state that the bows are cast thousands of miles away from the sides of the Rudras. Just as the
seas and skies are vast in their dimensions, it is implied that the Rudras occupying them are
limitless in their power.
The Third Mantram
This mantram praises the Rudras who populate the netherworld. Just like their Lord, these
Ganaas are also seen to possess bluish-black throats after their Lord drank the Kala Koota poison
(neelagreeva) and sparkling white throats (sithi kantaah) before that event. They are called
Adhaakshamaacharaah or the dwellers of the denizen below this earth. The mantram proudly
states that we put a distance of thousand miles between these Rudras and their intimidating
weapons of punishment. The whole mantram's text is as follows:
Neelagreevaah SitikanDaah Sarvaa Adhah Kshamaacharaah
(tEeshagum Sahasra yojane-avadanvaani tanmasi) (3)
The Fourth Mantram
Here, the Rudras, who rule over the heaven as agents of their Lord are being addressed as
follows:
Neelagreevah Sithikantaah Divagum Rudraah Upasritaah
(tEeshagum Sahasra yojane-avadanvaani tanmasi )(4)
Here again, the disarmament of the Rudras, who populate swargam is being referred to. These
Rudra Ganaas, because of their penance, have attained Rudra Saaroopyam and hence resemble
Rudran in His body color, viz., neelagreevaah sithikantaah, which has a blackish and white hue
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at the neck portion. All the above four mantrams of this Anuvakam are considered as one
Mantram from the point of having the same Dhyaana Slokam quoted below:
Damshtraa karaalavadanam jwalajwalana moordhajam
BibraaNam thrisikam deepam dhyaayeth bhujaga bhooshaNam
(meaning) : We should meditate on that form of Sri Rudran with frightening (cannine) teeth, with
hair resembling the burning flames, with the three-forked Agni in His hand and with the
decorations constituted by ferocious serpents.
The fruit of this mantra japam is the destruction of one's enemies.
The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Mantrams
These mantrams also praise the protective and destructive qualities of the thousands of Rudras
who roam the Earth, Sky and beyond. The prayer always ends with tEesham Sahasra Yojane
avadanvaani tanmasi, i.e., We push off the ferocious bows of the Rudras thousands of miles
away from them and make it inaccessible to them so that they cannot use the bows to harm us,
when they get angry. The mantrams have the same Dhyanaa Slokam that is associated with the
previous four mantras. The Rishi, Devathaas and Chandas alone are different for the eighth and
ninth mantras. Devalar, Anusthup and Sri Rudran are the Rishi, Chandas and Devathaa for these
two mantras. The text of the fifth to the ninth mantras are as follows:
Ye Vrksheshu saspinjaraa neelagreevaa vilohitaah (5)
Ye Bhoothaanam-adhipatayO ViSikhaasah Kapardinah (6)
Ye annEshu Vividhyanthi PaatrEshu PiBatO janaan (7)
Ye Pathaam Pathirakshaya YelaBrudhaa Yavyudhah (8)
Ye teerthaani Pracharanthi SrukaavantO Nishanginah (9)
Common to all:
tEesham sahasra yojane avadanvaani tanmasi
The pervasive presence of the Rudra Ganaas in the trees, in the foods, in the waters and in all
colors, forms and shapes is described here and these Rudras of many attributes are saluted
through the above mantrams. Let us now look at the meaning of each of the mantrams.
In the fifth mantram, reference is made to the Rudraas who are the Lords of the trees of this
universe. The different colors of these Rudraas is saluted through the naamaas saspinjaraah,
neelagreevaah and vilohithaah. Some of these Rudraas are described as having the light green
color of the young blade of grass (saspinjaraas); some others are seen with throats characterized
by bluish-black color (Neelagreevaas); the rest are seen as having bodies with red hue
(Vilohithaas). Rudraas of these colors (Ye Rudras) responsible for the trees are saluted through
the fifth manthram.

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The sixth manthram salutes the chieftains of the armies of Rudra Ganaas. Among the Rudraas,
there are some hierarchies; one such unit of the army is known as Baala Graham. The
commander of that unit is recognized and saluted in the sixth manthram as a prototype of other
commanders through the vakyam Ye Bhutaanaam Adhipatayah. The rest of the mantram
describes their appearance. The mantram states that some of these leaders have heads that are
clean-shaven; others have heads adorned by matted hair (Jata). These Rudraas are saluted and
the mantram states that it has cast asunder their bows out of harm's way.
The seventh mantram (Ye AnnEshu Vividhyanthi Paatreshu PiBatO janaan) praises the
Rudraas associated with the food and drinks that people use. The Rudraas are recognized as
being indwellers in the food we eat or in the milk and beverages that we drink or in the vessels
that are used to serve the food and drinks. The Rudraas are thus associated with the cause of
punishment through food and drinks to those of unrighteous conduct.
The eighth manthram pays its homage to those Rudraas who protect the people who follow the
path sanctioned by the Vedas (vaidhikam) and the one which does not have the rigor of Veda
Margam (Laukhikam). These Rudraas protect and nourish the people who are of righteous
conduct through the blessings of food. They also punish those who do not follow the above
paths by turning their food into toxic poisons and harming them. The mantram containing these
thoughts is as follows:
Ye Pathaam Pathirakshaya YelaBrudhaa Yavyudhah
The word Pathaam is same as the Pantha used in Purusha Sooktham: Nanya panthaa
ayanaaya vidhyatE. All the approaches to God are referred to here. The Rudra Ganaas are
recognized here as the protectors (Pathi Rakshayah) of these Vaidhika and loukika approaches.
They are also described as YelaBrudaha (i.e., the agents who give us the food and viands and
thereby nourish and protect as we enter and travel in both the types of approaches). They are
also recognized as the forces, Yavyudha, that destroy those who sin by not following the above
paths. By destroying those who are practitioners of unrighteous deeds, the Rudra Ganaas protect
the Vaidhika and Laukhika Margas, which are the sanmargaas.
The ninth manthram (Ye Teerthaani Pracharanthi Srukaavantho Nishanginah) salutes those
Rudra Ganaas having knives with sharp blades in their hands and other weapons, and they are
recognized as travelling through the waters of sacred rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Godhavari,
Narmada, Saraswathi, Cauveri, et al. Srukaa stands for weapons with very sharp edges and
points and Nishangah stands for swords. These Rudra Ganaas are associated with the power to
bless them (teertha yatrikaa) with either blessings or otherwise. The good ones following the
righteous paths get their blessings and the waters nourish them and remove their sins; the
unrighteous are harmed by the weapons in the hands of the Rudras, who dwell in the waters of
the rivers, sacred ponds and reside on the banks of these waters.
The Tenth Mantram
The tenth mantram prays to the Rudraas who are limitless beyond the thousands (sahasrani
sahasraso ye Rudraah) of Rudra Ganaas mentioned in the first mantram of this Anuvakam and
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usually occupy every nook and corner of this universe and beyond. The mantram states that the
bows of those Rudras are also made inaccessible to them. The tenth mantram is as follows:
Ya etaavantashcha Bhooyaagumsasccha DhiSO Rudraa Vitasthire
tEsham sahasra yojane avadanvaani tanmasi (10)
The Anvaya Kramam for the above manthram is Etaavantah Bhooyaagumsashcha Ye Rudraah
Dhiso VitastirE tEshagum Sahasrayojane avadanvaani tanmasi. The meaning centers around
those Rudraas who exceed multifold beyond the thousands we mentioned until now. The
mantram states that all of those multitudes of Rudraas occupying all directions do not have
access to their punishing bows since they have been put away beyond their reach.
The tenth manthram has the same Rishi and Chandas as the previous set of manthrams.
The Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Mantrams
These mantrams are united as a piece and have to be split appropriately for the individual count.
The total mantram is as follows:
Namo Rudhrebhyo ye Prthivyaam ye Antarikshe ye Dhivi Yeshaam
annam vaatO varshamishavastEbhyo daSa Praachihr daSa
Dakshinaa daSa PratheechirdaSOdheecheer dasordhvaas tEbhyo
NamastE nO MrDayantu tE yam dvishmO yaccha no
DvEshti tam vO jambhE dadhaami (11 13)
This unitary mantram has to be split into three separate mantrams in the following way:
(1) Namo Rudrebhyo Ye Prthivyaam Yeshaamannamishavasthebhyo Dasaa Prachirdasaa
Dakshinaa Dasa Prathichidasodhicheer dasordhvaas thebhyo Namastheno Mrdayanthu the
yam dvismo yaccha no Dveshti tham vo jambhe dadhaami.
(2) Namo Rudrebhyo Ye Antharikshe Yeshaam Vaatha Ishavasthebhyo Dasaapraachirdasaa
Dakshinaa Dasaa Prathichidasodhicheer dasordhvaas thebhyo Namastheno Mrdayanthu the
yam dvismo yaccha no Dveshti tham vo jambhe dadhaami.
(3) Namo Rudrebhyo Ye Divi Yeshaam Varshamishavasthebhyo Dasaa Praachirdasaa
Dakshinaa Dasaa Prathichidasodhicheer dasordhvaas thebhyo Namastheno Mrdayanthu the
yam dvismo yaccha no Dveshti tham vo jambhe dadhaami.
The translation of the meaning of the first mantram will serve as a basis to interpret the meanings
of the second and third mantrams.
These mantrams offer worship to Sri Rudra Ganaas in easterly, westerly, northerly and southerly
as well as upward directions. The mantrams state that all the ten fingers are held together in
Anjali form while facing in all the above directions. This type of namaskaram is called Kaayika
or bodily salutation. These mantrams in other sections offer maanasika and vaachika
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namaskaarams. Namo Rudhrebhyah is the vaachika namaskaaram or the salutation by speech.

tEbhya Namah is the inward prayer or the maanasika namaskaaram. Bodily bowing with folded
hands directed towards the Rudraas populating different directions is the Kaayika namaskaram.
The first manthram salutes all the Rudra Ganaas that populate this earth (Ye Prthivyaam tEbhya
Rudrebhya Namah). The second manthram (Ye Antharikshe tEbhya Rudrebhya Namah)
salutes those Rudraas who are in the skies. The third mantram salutes those who are in heaven
(Ye Divi, tEbhya Rudrebhyah Namah).
The first mantram links the Rudraas on this earth with control over the food that a human being
partakes. The Rudraas are said to punish the wicked by using food as the arrows to hurt and
harm. For them food (annam) is like the sharp arrows (dasa) to torture the unrighteous. The
prayer therefore is tEbhyah Rudrebhyah Dasa Praachih Dasa Dakshinaah Dasa Prathichih
Dasodichih Dasa Urdhvaah Namah.
The prayer is made not to harm through salutations by folding the ten fingers of the hand
together facing easterly, westerly, northern, southern and upward directions. The prayer further
asks that the Rudraas populating the earth give happiness and freedom to enjoy the foods by
stating The Rudraah Nah Mrdayanthu.
The prayer continues to state the intention of the devotees regarding their ideas to dispose of or
treat their enemies. The enemies are described as being of two kinds. One group belongs to
those whom the devotees hate for their unrighteous conduct (Yam Dvishmah). The other group
is constituted by those who hate the devotees without reason (Yah Na Dveshti). The prayer
states that the devotees plan to dump the two kinds of enemies in the mouth of Rudra Ganaas as
their food. As a result of the destruction of the enemies by the Rudra Ganaas, the devotees are
expecting to be protected from ill-wishers who interfere with the pursuit of righteous way of life
by the devotees. The mantram describes the plans of devotees to feed the Rudra Ganaas as
Tamm vah Jambhe Dadaami. We will push them into your open mouths, is the meaning of
the above statement.
The second mantram has the same text, except Ye Antharikshe Yeshaam vaatha ishava (The
Rudrebhyo Dadhaami). Here, the weapon of the Rudra Ganaas populating the skies is
described as the winds. These Rudraas use the winds as arrows to hurt the unrighteous.
Hurricanes, tornadoes and other forms of destructive winds are the instruments of such Rudraas
to punish the unrighteous.
The third manthram describes that the rains are the arrows of choice of the Rudraas who populate
heaven (Divi Ye Yeshaam Varshah Ishavah). By pouring rains or through droughts, these
Rudraas hurt the unrighteous of the world. Thus, through the food or through the winds or
through rains, the Rudra Ganaas are said to bless or harm the people according to their punyaas
or papaas.

Auxiliary Manthras
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In addition to the above 13 mantrams of the eleventh Anuvakam, it is customary to recite the
following 7 mantrams in Sri Rudra Paarayanam. All of these additional mantrams also salute the
different attributes of Sri Rudran.
TrayamBakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam
Oorvarukamiva bandananmrithyor muksheeya maamrutaath (1)
(meaning)
We salute the three-eyed Sri Rudran, whose body possesses exquisite natural perfume. We salute
Him who enhances the strength of all living beings through His blessings. We offer havis to
Him. Like a ripe cucumber slips out of its place in the creeper, let us easily and effortlessly slip
out of the bonds of Samsara and attain Moksham.
The second mantram in the auxiliary group salutes the aspects of Sri Rudran which give the
burning power for Agni, wetting and thirst-quenching power for water, and the curative powers
for medicinal herbs. This mantram offers its salutations to Sri Rudran, who is pervasively
present as the cutting edge of the energy that performs various activities. This aspect of His
universal presence is saluted as Yo Rudrah Vishvaa Bhuvanaa Vivesaa Tasmai Rudraaya
Namo Asthu. The full manthram is as follows:
yO Rudro Agnau yo apsu ya Oshadeeshu
yO Rudro ViSvaa Bhuvanaa Avivesa
Tasmai Rudraaya Namo Asthu (2)
Since Sri Rudran is everywhere, the mantram salutes His universal presence to attain
auspiciousness.
The third manthram advises the worshipper to respect Sri Rudran through pooja and
aaraadhanam to obtain peace of mind and long life (Mahe Saumanasya Asuram Devam Rudra
Yakshva, Namobhih Duvasya). Here, the word asuram stands for Sri Rudran who is extremely
strong and powerful or for Him who expands the devotees life span on this earth. The mantram
asks the devotee to praise (Stuhi) Sri Rudran, who is distinguished by the possession of the best
arrows and bow and as the indweller of all curative medicinal herbs. Such a Mangala Vigraham
must be your object of prayer, says the mantram, whose text is as follows:
tamushtuhi yah Svishu: sudhanvaa yo Viswasya Kshayati BhEshajasya
Yakshvaamahe Soumanasaaya Rudram Namobhir Devamasuram Duvasya (3)
In this stothram, three verbs Stuhi, Yakshva and Duvasya are used. Stuhi stands for recited
prayer through the tongue (kayika namaskaram), yakshva stands for worship through manasa
pooja and Duvasya stands for the honors done to Sri Rudran through external aaraadhanam,
involving the limbs of the body. He is described to us here as the supreme protective force who
saves us from all kinds of misfortunes with bow and arrows. He is recognized as the benevolent
force driving away poverty, sickness and short life span.
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The fourth auxiliary mantram describes the blessed hand of a devotee of Sri Rudran, who uses
the hand to perform Aaraadhanam, Abhishekam and other upacharams. The mantram is as
follows:
Ayam mE hastO Bhagavaanayam mE Bhagawattarah
Ayam mE ViswabheshajOyagum SivabhimarSanah (4)
The glory of the hand that is fortunate to perform pooja, alankaram and abhishekam for Lord
Rudran is revealed here. The Siva Bhakthaa states here that his hand that touches the auspicious
vigraham of Paramasivan is truly blessed (Me Ayam Hasthah Siva Abhimarsanah Ayam
Hasthah Bhagavaan). My hand that takes part in the Abhishekam, Alankaaram and
Aaraadhanam is extraordinarily fortunate and is powerful to cure all diseases (Me Ayam
Hasthah Bhagavattharah, Me Ayam Hasthah Visvabheshajah). Through this revelation, the
Siva Bhakthaa is exhorting others to join in the Aaraadhana of Lord Rudran for getting His
blessings that are incomparable in their power and reach.
The fifth auxiliary mantram prays for attaining His auspicious blessings through performance of
righteous deeds. Such observance should help in the elimination of misfortunes that could come
from the usage of the thousands of death-yielding, destructive weapons found in the hands of Sri
Rudran. This mantram has the following text:
Ye tE sahasramayudam paasaa Mrthyo Martyaaya hantavE
taan Yagnasya Maayayaa Sarvaanava yajaamahe (5)
Here, Sri Rudran is recognized as Samhaara Moorthi and is addressed as Mrthyo! The weapons
in His hands are for destroying the jeevaraasis, when their time is up or even before their allotted
time, if they perform unrighteous acts. The weapons are seen as thousand fold (sahasram) and
ten thousand fold (ayudham) in His tens of thousands of hands. By doing the proper righteous
deeds such as aaraadhanam and yaagaas based on Sri Rudram (Yajasya Maayayaa), we
eliminate the destructive power of your weapons (sarvaan avayajaamahe) away from us. The
sathkarmaas and sadaacharams are said to be the antidotes against the fury of Sri Rudrans
multifold weapons.
The sixth auxiliary mantram is a short one and is as follows:
Mrtyave Svaha Mrtyave Svaha (6)
This mantram states that this homam is performed to Sri Parameswaran, who is in the form of
destructive force known as Mrtyu or Kalasamhaara Moorthi.
The seventh mantram prays to Him for protection against the ills of samsara and the text of this
mantram is as follows:
Om Namo BhagavatE Rudraaya VishNave Mrtyur mE Paahi (7)

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Here, salutation is made to Sri Rudran by recognizing Him as the supreme force that pervades all
universes (Vishnave Namo Namah) and as the Bhagawaan with six Gunas such as strength,
valor, et al. The God who removes or drives away the sorrows (Rudran) is asked to protect the
worshipper by eliminating the bondage of samsaaram. Vedam can take the liberty to alter the
vibakthis. Therefore, instead of saying Maam Paahi, Vedam says mE Paahi.
The eighth and the final auxiliary mantram invites Sri Rudran, who is the binding knot of life as
well as the loosener of that knot, to reside in the body of the devotee. By such residence, Sri
Rudran is asked to take satisfaction in the food that the devotee eats and to protect him through
that offering. He is asked to remove the Taapa Trayams (Aadhyaathmikam, Aadhi Daivikam
and Aadhi Bowdhikam) and to bless the devotee with supreme happiness. That Parameswaran,
who binds the forces of the body together to energize the human beings in all their activities, is
the same Lord of death and destruction. Such a powerful Parameswaran is requested to sanctify
our bodies through his residence inside us and to protect us.
The spirit of this mantram is echoed in one of the Sivananda Lahari verses of Sri Adi Sankara.
This verse with its profound meanings is as follows:
Papoth paatha vimochanaaya Ruchiraiswaryaaya Mrthyunjaya
Sthothra Dhyaana nathi prathakshina saparyaa lokanaa karnane
Jihvaa chitta sirongigrahastha nayana Srothraivaham Praarthithah
Maam Aagyapaya Thanniniroopaya Muhurmaameva Maameva chah
The word-for-word meaning of this verse is given below to identify with the moving prayer of
Adi Sankara where he asks Lord of the universes to engage all his limbs in service to him.
Mrthyunjaya (Oh! Parameswara who destroyed Yama Dharman), Paapothpaathavimochanaaya
(for removing the dangers that could befall one due to accumulated sins), Ruchiraiswaryaaya
(for the peace of mind and independence from ills of samsara), jihvaa-chitta-angi-hasthanayana-srothraih (by my tongue, mind, head, foot, hands, eyes and ears), stotra-dhyaana-nathi
prathakshina-saparyaa lokanaa karnana praarthathah (I appeal to You to permit me to engage
in acts of praising You, meditating on You, prostrating to You, performing pooja to You,
visualizing You, and hearing Your auspicious stories). Atha Maam Aagyapaya (therefore,
please command me to engage in acts that celebrate You through every one of my limbs and
faculties; Please reside in me and watch over me and command me to perform all such
auspicious activities). Me Avachah Memaiva (Let me not be found deficient in my prayers,
meditations, salutations, circumambulations, aaraadhanams, and listening of Your holy stories.
Let my mind and body be ever disassociated from such acts not revolving around You. My
tongue is for singing Your glories; my mind for meditating on Your Kalyaana Gunaas; my head
is for prostrating before Your holy feet; my feet are for going around Your holy temple; my
hands are for doing archanaa for Your Archaa Moorthy; my eyes are for devouring Your
beautiful Mangala Vigraham; my ears for listening about Your holy stories described in
Puraanaas and Upanishads. When I engage my limbs in service to You, my sins will be
destroyed and I will thereby attain salvation and Mukthi.)

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I cannot engage in these activities, unless You reside inside me, watch over me, command me
and protect me. Please stay inside me and bless me to engage in such acts and never let me slip
into any other act which will take me away from You. This is the prayer of Adi Sankaraa, which
is an echo of the last auxiliary mantram of Sri Rudram quoted below:
PraaNaanaam Granthirasi Rudro Maa ViSaantaka:
tEnaannEnaapyaayasva(8)
Antaka! Maa Visa, tEna Annena Aapyaayasva is the heart of the prayer here. Oh, destroyer
of ignorance and samsaraa, please enter into me, reside permanently inside me and protect me.
Please accept what I eat as an offering to You and be satisfied and thereby bless me to have all
moments of my life filled with thoughts about You and You alone.
NamO RudhrAya VishNavE mrutyurmE paahi
Om Saanti: Saanti: Saanti:
Thus ends Sri Rudram, the magnificent prayer addressed to Sri Rudran . This center jewel of
Yajur Vedam is one of the most sacred passages of the Vedas.
May Sri Rudran/ AhirBudhnyan , the greatest bhaktan of
VedAbhimAnis with all soubhAgyams !
Dhaasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan

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Lord Narasimha bless all

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